Klay Thompson’s Reason For Avoiding Lakers Revealed In New Report

In a recent report by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Kendra Andrews , Klay Thompson's decision to join the Dallas Mavericks instead of the Los Angeles Lakers was unveiled, marking a significant shift in his storied NBA career.

Thompson revealed that while he appreciated the Lakers' interest, the prospect of joining them felt too reminiscent of his tenure with the Warriors— a scenario he wanted to move away from.

According to Shelburne and Andrews, Thompson questioned whether joining the Lakers would be "trading one fishbowl for another."

Despite the Lakers offering a longer contract and more lucrative terms—reportedly almost $80 million over four years—Thompson opted for Dallas.

The Mavericks finalized a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors on Monday to secure Thompson. In exchange, Dallas sent two second-round picks to Golden State.

For the Golden State Warriors, Thompson's departure signifies the end of an incredible era alongside notable teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

Together, they achieved incredible success with six NBA Finals appearances (four titles) and winning over 500 games together, ranking sixth all-time for a trio in NBA history.

Klay Thompson averaged 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists throughout his career with the Warriors. However, he had a down year in the 2023-24 season, averaging 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Ultimately, Thompson sought new experiences and a fresh start, which he believed he could find in Dallas.

Related: Stephen Curry Issues Emotional Message to Klay Thompson