Not so fast LeBron.
On Monday, Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, finalized a significant three-year, $50 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, facilitated through a three-team sign-and-trade involving the Golden State Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets.
Notably, the agreement includes a player option for the third year, providing Thompson with flexibility in his future career decisions.
Thompson’s free agency this offseason attracted considerable attention, making him one of the most coveted players available. His decision came after careful deliberation among various enticing offers, notably from the Lakers and the Mavericks, among others. The Lakers, under the influence of LeBron James, aggressively pursued Thompson.
James’ lobbying efforts reached a peak on Sunday night.
However, a crucial meeting between Thompson and Mavericks star Kyrie Irving reportedly swayed his decision, ultimately leading him to sign with the reigning Western Conference champions, as detailed by NBA reporter Marc Stein.
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This signing marks a significant twist in the careers of the involved players, linking past rivalries and alliances to present affiliations. James and Irving, former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates, famously clashed with Thompson, Steph Curry, and the rest of the Warriors in several intense NBA Finals matchups in the mid-2010s.
The dynamics of these relationships have continually evolved, highlighted two seasons ago when Irving, seeking a trade from Brooklyn, was nearly acquired by the Lakers at the trade deadline.
Despite James’s strong advocacy for the trade, the deal fell through, and Irving instead found his way to Dallas.
Now, with the stakes higher than ever following an NBA Finals appearance, Irving has successfully recruited Thompson, his former adversary, to the Mavericks.
This alliance fortifies Dallas’s roster, pairing Thompson with Irving and Luka Doncic to form a formidable trio aiming to dominate the Western Conference and challenge James and the Lakers.
Despite the injuries that have marred his recent seasons, including an ACL tear and an Achilles tendon rupture, Thompson remains a formidable sharpshooter.
His ability to sink three-pointers at around a 40% rate will be instrumental in spacing the floor for Irving and Doncic, enhancing the Mavericks’ offensive strategy.
Thompson’s acquisition by the Mavericks not only underscores his enduring value as a player but also highlights his ideal fit within Dallas’s tactical framework.
As the new NBA season approaches, Thompson is poised to be a pivotal figure in the Mavericks’ pursuit of Western Conference supremacy, continuing to write new chapters in his already storied NBA career.
