Report: Kyrie Irving Recruited Klay Thompson To Mavericks

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Kyrie Irving recruited Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks. 

Thompson is leaving the Golden State Warriors for the Mavericks. He met with the Los Angeles Lakers and spoke to LeBron James but still signed with Dallas even though his dad played for the Lakers and does radio for them. 

Klay Thompson had face-to-face meetings with both the Lakers and Mavericks in L.A. on Sunday night, league sources say.

In addition Dallas had Klay’s former @USABasketball teammate Kyrie Irving to counter recruiting from LeBron James.

More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVmnZ8Y https://t.co/ADUvbGRe9Y

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2024

Thompson averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Warriors while shooting 43.2% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the free-throw line.

Golden State missed the playoffs after losing the 9-10 play-in game to the Sacramento Kings. 

The Warriors drafted Thompson with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Washington State. Thompson made five All-Star teams, two All-NBA teams and one All-Defensive team with the Warriors. He helped the franchise win four championships.

Thompson has career averages of 19.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks. He turns 35 next season.

The Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals in five games. Dallas now has a “Big 3” of Thompson, Irving and Luka Doncic.

Irving has career averages of 23.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks. He helped Cleveland win the 2016 title over Thompson and the 73-9 Warriors. 

Thompson and Irving are with ANTA Sports. 

One of the top players in the NBA, Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 2023-24. The five-time All-Star shot 48.7% overall, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 78.6% from the free-throw line. He had 49 double-doubles and 21 triple-doubles.