When the Dallas Mavericks fell in the 2024 NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics, it was obvious the team needed to land a big acquisition with an attempt to run the West again. This summer, they landed Klay Thompson in a sign-and-trade to help their case.
Even with rumors that Thompson would join the Los Angeles Lakers, where his father played, and where he was born, Thompson joined the Mavs.
The Mavs also added Quentin Grimes through a trade and Naji Marshall in free agency. But, what the Mavs may not have realized at the time Thompson joined forces with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, is the Mavs will be a team that can draw interest from other free agents moving forward to build a winner.
Klay Thompson’s decision to join Mavs shows they’ll be a hot free agency destination
Throughout free agency history, the Dallas Mavericks weren’t a top destination for players to sign or be interested in being traded there. Even an NBA Finals loss in 2006 and an NBA Finals win in 2011 didn’t change the opinion of those around the league.
Now with Thompson on board, who is one of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history with four NBA Championships on his resume, that opinion has changed. Thompson coming to Dallas is a big deal today and will be moving forward. Already, Thompson is excited to join Dallas as he said “this gonna be so fun.”
For the past two seasons, Dallas has acquired two elite superstars with Irving and now Thompson. The culture in Dallas is changing for the better of the team. It’s obvious that players want to play with Doncic who will be in MVP discussions for years to come. And with other young talent like Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington, more free agents can think of Dallas as a destination.
The Lakers would usually be a top preferred destination in the West for years. The Lakers were rumored to land Irving last summer and Thompson this year, but times have changed from superstars wanting to join the Lakers and live in Los Angeles. Even with LeBron James making a phone call to Thompson to join the Lakers, Dallas was Thompson’s choice which says a lot.
Dallas is clearly building a winner, developing a culture and will be a Western Conference threat for years to come. Adding Thompson is a big deal to attract other free agents to come to Dallas, which was never easy in the past.
For all the latest on Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks all offseason long, stay tuned.
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