Klay Thompson won four rings in 13 seasons playing for the Golden State Warriors (2011-2024), and after not being able to come to terms on a contract extension, he was a part of a sign-and-trade deal, where he chose to play for the Dallas Mavericks, agreeing on a three-year/$50 million contract.
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.@wojespn with the latest on Klay Thompson to the Mavericks via sign-and-trade:
- The Warriors will acquire a trade exception, plus a second-round pick from the Hornets.
- Thompson will be making $50 million over three years in Dallas.
- One of the big reasons Thompson chose… pic.twitter.com/QQeW786rRw
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 1, 2024
With this in mind, Klay's father, Mychal Thompson, who is a former No. 1 overall draft pick (1978) and Lakers player (1986-91), expressed that he was disappointed with his son taking his talents to Dallas instead of LA.
While being interviewed on the radio with hosts Brian Scalabrine and Frank Isola, Mychal stated that he was hoping that his son would follow in his footsteps, with his dream being that Klay would finish out his career with the Lakers, where he himself won back-to-back championships (1987, 1988).
Furthermore, if Klay ultimately chose to join the LeBron and company, then his father and him also would be counterparts, as Mychal is the current color commentator on the Lakers radio broadcast.
"I'm not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood."
Mychal Thompson had hopes that his son, Klay Thompson, would join the Lakers.@champagnennuts | @TheFrankIsola | @Scalabrine pic.twitter.com/8TH9bV3Ktw
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 2, 2024
"Hold your congratulations, Frank and Scal. I'm not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood right now," Mychal stated. "Obviously, it's Klay's decision, it's his life, he's a grown man at 34 years of age... 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 would finish his career with the Lakers."
He also went on to note that his son was a Lakers and Kobe fan growing up. Although, coming to Los Angeles was among his top destination preferences, as the older Thompson noted, the 34-year-old son chose the Mavericks seemingly because of the tax savings opportunity in Texas.
LeBron James is now expected to sign a max contract after the Lakers missed out on Klay Thompson, per @wojespn.
LeBron was ready to take a $20 million pay cut for Thompson. pic.twitter.com/E4jGFJkt94
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 1, 2024
During the 2023-24 season, Klay averaged 17.9 points (43.2% FG; 38.7% 3PT), 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.
Thompson will join Luka Doncic, and former Warriors/Cavs rival Kyrie Irving in the backcourt, as they hope to build off of last year's successful season (50-32) which led to a Finals appearance.
Related: Klay Thompson Spotted At The Bahamas Men's National Team Training Camp Ahead Of The 2024 Olympics
