ESPN's Woj reported that the Warriors and Mavericks completed Thompson's sign-and-trade deal. The contract is $50 million for three years, with a final year player option. The Mavericks have made a lot of money this time, and they have upgraded the roster again in the offseason, which is equivalent to sending Hardaway away, Jones and Green to get Thompson and Marshall. Although Jones is good, Marshall is better, the Mavericks' offense and defense have improved, and we can see him as Hardaway's replacement when we win Thompson.
The Mavericks can put on a super offensive lineup in the new season, with Lively on the inside, Washington at the front, Thompson at the No. 3 position or as a sixth man off the bench, and Doncic and Irving on the backcourt. Normally, Thompson's 1.98-meter height can make a cameo appearance in the No. 3 position, but Thompson's lateral movement has dropped significantly after a major injury. It is better to go directly to the position of hard top and small front, and use the advantage of top defense and lower strength, and the speed is not so disadvantaged, after all, there are not many fast forwards in the league.
It is worth mentioning that this time Thompson joined the Mavericks, which was indeed a significant salary cut. Because the Lakers are willing to pay $80 million for four years, James also plans to take a salary cut. This is not only an increase in the annual salary, but also an extra year of 4 years of security. But Woj said Thompson still rejected the Lakers for two reasons why he signed with the Mavericks. The first is that Texas has lower taxes and more money on hand. The second is that the Mavericks are stronger than the Lakers, and Thompson wants to hit the fifth championship to prove to the Warriors, and letting him go is a failure.
In fact, the tax is second, and the gap between 50 million in 3 years and 80 million in 4 years is not something that Texas tax can fill. And Los Angeles is still a big market, and Thompson's father is a Lakers fan himself. Therefore, the biggest gap between the Mavericks and the Lakers is still strength, in Thompson's eyes, James is already old, thick eyebrows and injuries are continuous, and the overall structure of the Lakers is at the end of the stage, not as young and strong as the Mavericks. Doncic hasn't really reached his peak, Irving is at his peak, Washington is at his peak, and Lavery is still a rookie.
The Mavericks are a team in the Finals, so you can't say Thompson's decision was wrong, it's a decision that takes all things into account. 3 years and 50 million is indeed a little less, and the contract offered by the Warriors to Thompson at the beginning of the season was rejected for 2 years and 50 million, plus the Lakers' wave of 80 million was rejected. It can only be said that Thompson has an element of gambling, and how can there be players who don't like multi-year contract guarantees. If you can, absolutely not, just 3 years, not 4 years.
Thompson is putting everything on the next three years, hoping to make an impact with the Mavericks and then sign another contract at the end of his career. Now the pressure is on the Warriors' side, and they didn't get Paul George to form the Big Three. At the same time, it chilled Thompson's heart, and this time the way the Warriors handled Thompson was indeed a 'you go wherever you like, we don't want you anyway' attitude. This may have stirred Thompson's spirit.
Next season is critical if the Warriors don't make the playoffs, or don't go far enough in the playoffs, or even get eliminated by the Mavericks. Then Thompson may be happy because there is no player who doesn't want to prove to his old club after being abandoned, and he doesn't want to be looked down upon. Thompson has been annoyed by the way the Warriors handled him, feeling that the Warriors disrespected him and ignored his contributions to the dynasty. Now refusing the Lakers to join the stronger Mavericks is obviously aimed at the Warriors, just to regain their dignity.