The Thompson household have an extended affiliation with the Lakers and Klay Thompson had the chance to signal with the franchise, but he selected the Mavericks.
Klay’s dad, Mychal Thompson, is a two-time NBA champion with the Showtime Lakers and is presently the workforce’s radio colour commentator.
So he thought essentially the most logical alternative for Klay was a transfer to LA.
“He grew up a Laker fan. He grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant like most gamers his age, most youngsters his age,” Mychal stated on Sirius XM NBA Radio. “So I simply thought it appeared to be the proper match for him to lastly come again dwelling, ‘trigger we all the time talked about him taking part in for the Lakers if he was not a Golden State Warrior, the place else would he wish to play?”
Thompson ended his historic 13-season run with Golden State and agreed to a three-year, $50 million take care of the Mavericks on Monday. A lot to his dad’s dismay.
“I imply, clearly, it’s Klay’s determination, it’s his life, he’s a grown man, 34 years of age,” Thompson stated. “Similar to we have been 34 one time and our fathers used to present us recommendation and, you already know, we might select our personal path. And that’s high-quality, that’s what life is meant to be about.
“However I’m actually disillusioned. I hoped, hoping, as you’ll be able to assess, that he can be a Laker. It was shut, it got here right down to the Lakers and the Mavs, however the Mavs gained out. However you already know me, I hoped and praying he’d end his profession with the Lakers.”
Mychal added, “I’ll stay with it, I settle for it and I’m completely happy for him that he’s completely happy along with his determination, however yeah, in fact I attempted to promote him on the Lakers.”
As a substitute of coming off the bench like he did for 14 video games within the 2023-24 season for the Warriors, Klay will slot properly into the Mavs’ beginning 5, alongside Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, PJ Washington and Daniel Gafford.
READ MORE: Why Klay Thompson Selected Mavericks Over Lakers in Free Company
