Why Klay Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Lakers in free agency – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Klay Thompson had several options when he became an NBA free agent on Sunday, but several factors played into his decision to ultimately join the Dallas Mavericks.

Thompson’s decision essentially came down to two teams: the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

But a meeting with Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison and vice president Michael Finley helped change Thompson’s mind, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, and Thompson was inspired by the chance to compete for a fifth NBA title with Dallas, which had just returned from a trip to the NBA Finals.

The Lakers were also “extremely intriguing” to Thompson, but the financial savings of living in Texas rather than California — plus the fact that the Mavericks were three wins away from a championship last season — were big factors in his decision, Wojnarowski reported, citing sources.

Thompson was also linked to rumors involving several other teams this offseason, such as the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic, but ultimately he left behind a historic dynasty in Golden State and agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with Dallas.

The Warriors won’t necessarily want Thompson to compete alongside longtime foe LeBron James in Los Angeles, but they will have to contend with him, Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić at a Western Conference contender in Dallas.

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