The Los Angeles Lakers have been very aggressive in the 2024 offseason, first actively pursuing Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors' core point guard. The team was afraid that their persuasiveness would not work, so LeBron James personally stepped in and called Klay Thompson directly.
Unfortunately, Klay Thompson ended up choosing the Dallas Mavericks. The Golden State Warriors traded Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks through a three-team trade. According to Chris Haynes, the Los Angeles Lakers' trade chips became the main factor in their loss of Klay Thompson.
"I was told that the Lakers made a very attractive offer, about three to four years, about $20 million a year. They didn't catch anyone. They're going to go for a sign-and-trade deal, so it has nothing to do with LeBron's decision to take a little less. It just didn't happen, and D'Angelo Russell could be involved in a trade to get Clay. I was told that the Warriors weren't interested in bringing back D'Angelo Russell, so it wasn't feasible. ”
Oh my God! Does the Los Angeles Lakers management really treat the Golden State Warriors as a fool? actually used D'Angelo Russell to exchange Klay Thompson, what level D'Angelo Russell is at Golden State Warriors' side, will the Golden State Warriors not know. The Golden State Warriors traded D'Angelo Russell for Andrew Wiggins. It's because D'Angelo Russell can't do it.
After the Lakers missed out on a trade to get Klay Thompson, LeBron James could get a $160 million max contract. However, LeBron James has already spoken that as long as the team is willing to strengthen the lineup, he will take a pay cut and renew his contract. Now that the free agent market isn't over yet, the Lakers can also look for better stars to bolster their roster in the summer.
"The Lakers are still trying to figure out who that player will be. They're looking for a star player, whether it's through LeBron James' sacrificing money and being completely average, or a sign-and-trade scheme. ”
The Dallas Mavericks were smart enough to send away Tim Hardaway Jr. early to free up salary space and a spot for themselves to earn a third star. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Klay Thompson chose to join the Dallas Mavericks after turning down a four-year offer with a high salary.
"Thompson has a four-year, high-salary contract, but accepts less, offset by the Dallas Mavericks' chances of winning a fifth championship and the difference in state taxes."
Klay Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game and 9.0 shots per game in 2023-24 while shooting 38.7% from three-point range. In fact, the Dallas Mavericks' acquisition of Klay Thompson is a very good reinforcement, and his outside projection threat can reduce the opponent's targeting of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Moreover, Klay Thompson's three-point shot last season was not too bad. He finished fourth on the three-point scoring list last season, and in a way, he can still help the Dallas Mavericks well.