A couple of days ago, All-Star guard Klay Thompson had the choice to join either the Dallas Mavericks or LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. Thanks to Kyrie Irving, though, the Splash Brother decided to join Luka Doncic and company in free agency this year.
Just recently, the Mavs completed a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors to acquire Thompson. Dallas sent their own 2031 second-round pick to the Warriors, who are also receiving the least favorable of the Denver/Philadelphia second-round pick in 2025 as part of the trade.
The Charlotte Hornets were also involved in the deal, receiving Mavericks shooting guard Josh Green to help facilitate the move. Thompson’s departure from the Warriors, where he was a key part of their championship dynasty, is marked by the team’s tribute to his “incredible and legendary contributions” and the legacy he left behind.
The addition of Thompson to the Mavericks’ roster is expected to complement their standout backcourt of Doncic and Irving, providing an experienced shooter and scorer to diversify their offensive scheme. While the Splash brother may not be the same player he was prior to his injury-related absences, his ability to connect from beyond the arc could prove valuable for the Mavericks, who struggled with their three-point shooting during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Dallas Mavericks All-Star Guard Kyrie Irving Helped Convince Klay Thompson Over LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers
Before he signed with the Mavs, Thompson reportedly received a call from James in an attempt to recruit him to the Lakers. Apparently, Dallas used Irving to counter the King’s offer, as detailed in a tweet by Marc Stein on X.
“Klay Thompson had face-to-face meetings with both the Lakers and Mavericks in L.A. on Sunday night, league sources say. In addition Dallas had Klay’s former @USABasketball teammate Kyrie Irving to counter recruiting from LeBron James. More NBA from me: marcstein.substack.com,” Stein tweeted
If things went in James’ favor, Thompson would have played with the four-time champion, All-Star big man Anthony Davis, and Bronny James in a team coached by former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick. Instead, he’ll play with a talented backcourt of Doncic and Irving in a bid to help Dallas return to the NBA Finals next season.
It remains to be seen how the new trio of Doncic, Irving, and Thompson will perform in the months ahead. For James, though, he might have to find other ways to improve Los Angeles in a Western Conference that’s becoming more competitive.
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