The Thompson family has a strong connection to the Lakers, with Klay Thompson having the opportunity to join the franchise but ultimately deciding to sign with the Mavericks.
Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson, is a two-time NBA champion with the Showtime Lakers and currently serves as the team’s radio color commentator.
Given this background, it seemed logical for Klay to make the move to LA.
“He grew up a Laker fan. He grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant like most players his age, most kids his age,” Mychal shared on Sirius XM NBA Radio. “So I just thought it seemed to be the perfect fit for him to finally come back home, ’cause we always talked about him playing for the Lakers if he was not a Golden State Warrior, where else would he want to play?”
After an impressive 13-season tenure with the Warriors, Thompson made the decision to sign a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks, much to his father’s disappointment.
“I mean, obviously, it’s Klay’s decision, it’s his life, he’s a grown man, 34 years of age,” Mychal remarked. “Just like we were 34 at one time and our fathers used to give us advice and, you know, we would choose our own path. And that’s fine, that’s what life is supposed to be about.
“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’d finish his career with the Lakers.”
Mychal went on to say, “I’ll live with it, I accept it and I’m happy for him that he’s happy with his decision, but yeah, of course I tried to sell him on the Lakers.”
Instead of coming off the bench as he did for 14 games in the 2023-24 season for the Warriors, Klay will now be a key part of the Mavs’ starting lineup, alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington, and Daniel Gafford.
READ MORE: Why Klay Thompson Chose Mavericks Over Lakers in Free Agency
