Mychal Thompson ‘Disappointed’ Son Klay Thompson Signed With Mavericks Over Lakers

Two-time NBA champion Mychal Thompson is “disappointed” his son, Klay Thompson, signed with the Dallas Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Mychal played for the Lakers and does radio for them. 

Mychal Thompson was DISAPPOINTED with his son, Klay Thompson, for choosing the Mavs over Lakers 😳

“I’m not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood… I’m really disappointed. I was hoping he would finish his career with the Lakers”pic.twitter.com/oifh3rbnEZ

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 2, 2024

Klay has agreed on a three-year, $50 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks. The deal will require a multi-team sign-and-trade scenario that sends Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets for two future second-round picks.

The Lakers were extremely intriguing to Klay, but the financial savings from living in Texas over California and the fact that the Mavericks came within three victories of an NBA championship were big factors in Klay’s decision, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. 

Klay 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.

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

Klay 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.

With Klay off the board, the Lakers have pivoted to DeMar DeRozan, who will not return to the Chicago Bulls. Los Angeles could either sign DeRozan outright or acquire him via a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls, per NBA insider Jovan Buha of The Athletic. 

“After missing out on Klay, the Lakers quickly turned their attention to another James target: free-agent wing DeMar DeRozan,” Buha wrote. “Similar to Thompson, DeRozan, 34, is both a potential non-taxpayer midlevel exception candidate and a sign-and-trade candidate for Los Angeles, according to league sources. He is another player whom LeBron James would be willing to take less for, league sources confirmed and ESPN first reported.”