Do we know the reason behind Klay Thompson picking the Dallas Mavericks over Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to bring veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson on board during free agency, but he ended up choosing to sign with the Dallas Mavericks instead.

 

So, what was the reason Klay Thompson picking the Dallas Mavericks over Lakers?

Advertisement

Thompson’s decision makes sense because he was looking for a fresh start, which he felt LA couldn’t offer him. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews, Thompson had serious talks with LeBron James about teaming up, but the idea of joining the Lakers felt too much like his time with the Warriors. A source close to him described it as possibly “trading one fishbowl for another.”

While winning a fifth championship is a big goal for Thompson, other factors influenced his decision. Moving from California to Texas gives him the new environment he was seeking at this stage of his career.

The Warriors and Lakers are both big-market teams with massive attention and star players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James. In contrast, the Mavericks, despite reaching the NBA Finals recently, operate with less spotlight.

Not everyone close to Thompson supports his choice. His father, Mychal Thompson, was hoping he would join his former team, the Lakers.