Lakers Rumors: Klay Thompson Rejected Larger Contract from LA to Join Luka, Mavs

Adam WellsJuly 2, 2024

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

Before Klay Thompson agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers made a strong push to add the five-time All-Star.

On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective podcast (starts at 5:05 mark), ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said the Lakers “were offering more money per year and for a longer term” than Dallas.

Thompson accepted a three-year, $50 million deal from the Mavs in a sign-and-trade agreement with the Golden State Warriors, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

While the Lakers have been exploring moves to upgrade their roster, they have been very quiet during the initial wave of free agency. Their lone deal so far was a four-year, $32 million contract with restricted free agent Max Christie, per Wojnarowski.

Hovering over everything for the Lakers right now is LeBron James. The future Hall of Famer is expected to work out a new deal with the club, but there was talk he could accept a pay cut if it meant the team could land a high-quality player in free agency.

“He is prioritizing a roster improvement,” Rich Paul, James’ agent, told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “He’s been adamant about exuding all efforts to improve the roster.”

McMenamin cited Thompson, James Harden and Jonas Valančiūnas as the types of veterans James would be willing to take a pay cut to get on the Lakers. All three of those players came off the board quickly in free agency.

Harden is returning to the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year, $70 million deal, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. Valančiūnas agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, per Wojnarowski.

It’s unclear how much more the Lakers’ offer was, but it likely would have had to be significantly more to match how much Thompson will end up taking home from the Mavericks because of the difference in state taxes.

Texas is one of seven states that doesn’t tax income. California has the highest income tax rate in the United States at 13.3 percent.

Wojnarowski noted the idea of playing for the Lakers was “extremely intriguing” to Thompson, but the Mavs’ run to the NBA Finals and “financial savings from living in Texas over California” pushed Dallas over the top.

The Mavericks are trading Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets and two future second-round draft picks to Golden State in the sign-and-trade deal.

Thompson would have significantly helped a Lakers team that needs to upgrade their shooting. He averaged 17.9 points on 38.7 percent three-point shooting in 77 appearances for the Warriors last season.

Instead, the Lakers saw one of their competitors in a loaded Western Conference land Thompson. The Mavs will put the five-time All-Star in the same lineup with Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II.