Lakers offered more money, more years, so why did Klay Thompson choose the Mavericks?

LeBron James called, personally pitched his plan, and said he was willing to accept a $16 million (or maybe more) deal to bring him home to Southern California. Then Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called with the ultimate sign of NBA respect: money. Los Angeles would offer the 34-year-old former champion four years, $80 million (provided they could work out a sign-and-trade deal). Thompson’s last offer to stay with the Warriors was reportedly two years, $40 million, with the Lakers reportedly matching that.

Thompson opted to go to the Dallas Mavericks for three years, $50 million.

For what?

There are several reasons, according to league sources who spoke to NBC Sports, as well as information from people close to Thompson and the Mavericks.

Any discussion of Thompson’s selection must begin with this principle: Money was not his priority. It was not his second priority. Thompson has the privilege of earning $268.7 million in salary over his 13-year NBA career, plus much more in shoe deals and other endorsement deals. This is not a young player looking to make money for his first generation; this is a veteran who has the security of not having to put money first.

The Mavericks had a chance to fight again, in part — Dallas was in the Finals last June. They seemed like a team that was tentative in its first steps on the bigger stage and needed more shooting, two things Thompson thought he could bring. The Lakers won just three fewer regular-season games than Dallas, but they were a play-in team whose best player will turn 40 next season and who hired a rookie coach. By Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Thompson had watched the Mavericks’ NBA Finals run and explained to those close to him how he planned to fit in, creating space for Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving on offense while bringing his championship credentials to their burgeoning program.

But most importantly, Dallas offered Thompson the opportunity to change the narrative around him. To feel truly appreciated again.

Thompson spoke with Kyrie Irving and if anyone knows he came to Dallas and changed the narrative about them, it’s Irving. As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon explained on the Hoop Collective podcastIrving “met him where he was” and listened to Thompson’s experience in Golden State, then talked about his time in Brooklyn and then Dallas, and how he felt like he found a home within the organization. Coming from an organization he thought was his home but that became turbulent last season, that resonated with Thompson.

The Lakers undoubtedly offered Thompson the same concept, but was returning home to another West Coast team known for grooming its stars really the kind of change Thompson was looking for?

Then there was a conversation with former All-Star turned Mavericks executive Michael Finley about the mood around the Mavericks organization, the city and the fan base. The Dallas pitch was relaxed, not aggressive, in keeping with Thompson’s laid-back aura. Ultimately, for Thompson, the mood was simply better in Dallas, as Amick summed up perfectly in The Athletic.

They met him where he was, literally and figuratively, respecting his four rings and making it clear that he was their top priority this offseason. Their meeting in the back room of the restaurant was casual, conversational and easygoing, which fit perfectly with Thompson’s off-court vibe. And in the end, with (Mavericks general manager Nico) Harrison and Finley there to explain why the Mavericks could offer such a respite from the turmoil of his Warriors days, Thompson decided to seek peace in basketball.

The move made the Mavericks one of the winners of the NBA offseason — they got better (despite the loss of Derrick Jones Jr.). What that ultimately means in the Western Conference next season remains to be seen, but Thompson made the best choice for him.

This choice was not the Lakers’ to make, no matter what was on the table.