Klay Thompson turned down more money, years from Lakers to join Mavericks

League sources say a Lakers deal would have been far more lucrative, with discussions about a four-year, $80 million deal for Thompson if they had been able to convince the Warriors to cooperate in a sign-and-trade that would have sent D’Angelo Russell back to the Warriors (or to a third team). He had phone conversations with James and new Lakers coach JJ Redick that were all positive, league sources say, with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka staying in touch with Lawrence, but the allure of the Lakers situation simply didn’t match what the Mavericks had to offer. -via New York Times / July 3, 2024

Thompson had watched the Mavericks’ NBA Finals run and told those close to him how he envisioned fitting in, creating space for Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving on the offensive end while bringing his championship credentials to their rising program. His time with the Warriors was nearing an end by then, with league sources saying that contract proposals from Thompson’s side to the Warriors approximately two weeks ago were met not only by refusals but also by the revealing absence of counteroffers. With a week to go before free agency began, league sources say, Thompson had been convinced that the Warriors had no interest in bringing him back. -via New York Times / July 3, 2024

About a month after the round of golf at Riviera, with his future at Golden State increasingly uncertain, Klay Thompson had a revelation. After almost a year of despair, he needed an entirely new experience, sources said. Out of the fishbowl, away from all the history and people he had always known. Two weeks prior, Thompson’s camp had made one final offer to the Warriors, a two-year deal for roughly $20 million per season, sources said. The response was the same as it had been for nearly a year: We just can’t do it yet. -via ESPN / July 3, 2024