The Dallas Mavericks have never shied away from making major changes, even after an NBA Finals run. In 2011, the Mavs made the infamous decision to break up a team that had just won a championship. 13 years later, they took a similar path, replacing multiple rotation players that had been part of their core.
New Details About Klay Thompson’s Decision To Flip From Warriors To Mavs Emerge
Everything is bigger in Texas, and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is one of the biggest offseason additions that Dallas could’ve gotten. A player who rose to fame as a key member of the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Thompson has a chance to pass Hall of Fame marksman Reggie Miller for fifth all-time in made threes this season. Who better to play off of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving?
However, while Thompson was expected to leave the Warriors amid role and contractual disputes, there was a chance he could’ve returned. Or at least so it seemed.
“Thompson and Kerr had breakfast in Manhattan Beach in late June,” reports The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “Kerr made the drive up from San Diego. He wanted to reiterate to Thompson that, while everything was still in flux, he valued him and wanted him back. They talked a little about the contractual situation. Kerr laid out the reality of his future with the Warriors — it’d probably include a fluctuating role, perhaps off the bench.”
“At the end of the breakfast, he said, ‘You know, I think it’s time. I think I’m going to go to Dallas,’” Kerr says. “I understood… Sometimes a fresh start can be healthy. I think it was the right decision for him.”
A Beloved Star
Thompson’s decision to leave the Warriors wasn’t just franchise-altering. The success that he and Golden State had enjoyed together is unforgettable. However, his ability to endear himself to fans in the Bay Area and around the world with his positivity and authenticity was also truly special.
Towards the end of his Warriors tenure, he sulked and pouted. He was stressed by the thought of being on the decline. He was frustrated by the idea that Kerr believed that he was.
Thompson isn’t the first player to feel that way. In recent years, All-Stars like Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony have faced that same challenge. So have Dwyane Wade and Kevin Love, NBA champions who used to be franchise cornerstones.
With that being said, it’s a nod to his character that his change in demeanor didn’t taint his legacy. There might not be many people who believe Thompson’s lower leg injuries didn’t dampen his defensive ability. However, even fewer see Thompson in a bad light with regard to his personality.
He was simply frustrated, which is exactly why going to the Mavs made sense.
The Bottom Line
Of Thompson’s offseason suitors, the Los Angeles Lakers were the most notable.
They’re arguably the most famous team on Earth. They have a star-studded cast headlined by four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion LeBron James. They also used to employ Thompson’s father, who won two championships in the late 1980s.
But when it came down to it, he decided he didn’t want to stay in California, where he had lived his entire life. Thompson also claimed that the Mavs had a better chance of winning a championship, feeling he was the missing piece after their recent NBA Finals run. His decision was a disappointment to his father, but it spoke to how much of a fresh start he wanted.
Only time will tell if he made the right choice in terms of where he would be able to continue winning. Nonetheless, he made the best choice for himself as a person. That’s the bottom line.
