The Thompson family have a long association with the Lakers and Klay Thompson had the opportunity to sign with the franchise, yet he chose the Mavericks.
Klay’s dad, Mychal Thompson, is a two-time NBA champion with the Showtime Lakers and is currently the team’s radio color commentator.
So he thought the most logical choice for Klay was a move to LA.
“He grew up a Laker fan. He grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant like most players his age, most kids his age,” Mychal said on Sirius XM NBA Radio. “So I just thought it seemed to be the perfect fit for him to finally come back home, ‘cause we always talked about him playing for the Lakers if he was not a Golden State Warrior, where else would he want to play?”
Thompson ended his historic 13-season run with Golden State and agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks on Monday. Much to his dad’s dismay.
“I mean, obviously, it’s Klay’s decision, it’s his life, he’s a grown man, 34 years of age,” Thompson said. “Just like we were 34 one time and our fathers used to give us advice and, you know, we would choose our own path. And that’s fine, that’s what life is supposed to be about.
“But I’m really disappointed. I was hoping, hoping, as you can assess, that he would be a Laker. It was close, it came down to the Lakers and the Mavs, but the Mavs won out. But you know me, I was hoping and praying he’d finish his career with the Lakers.”
Mychal added, “I’ll live with it, I accept it and I’m happy for him that he’s happy with his decision, but yeah, of course I tried to sell him on the Lakers.”
Instead of coming off the bench like he did for 14 games in the 2023-24 season for the Warriors, Klay will slot nicely into the Mavs’ starting five, alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
READ MORE: Why Klay Thompson Chose Mavericks Over Lakers in Free Agency