The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a sizeable blow to their hopes of becoming a championship-caliber team again when Klay Thompson rejected their offer in free agency and instead agreed to sign with the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.
The Lakers seemed to seriously be in pursuit of the five-time All-Star guard, and LeBron James reportedly even called him once free agency officially started on Sunday.
As was the case when University of Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley said no to a generous offer from them, the Lakers are once again looking weak and unattractive.
Reportedly, the Lakers were willing to offer Thompson a contract of up to $80 million over four years.
The Lakers were willing to offer Klay Thompson $80 million over four years, per @AnthonyIrwinLA pic.twitter.com/Bv54spXkfl
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 1, 2024
Paying him that much would’ve possibly involved a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden State Warriors, the team Thompson won four NBA championships with. The Warriors reportedly weren’t interested in taking back D’Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade offer.
Lakers offered Klay Thompson '$20M per [year]' and proposed D'Angelo Russell to Warriors in sign-and-trade deal.
The Warriors declined, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/HcfK0PxoM0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2024
The deal Thompson agreed to with the Mavs is worth less than the one the Lakers offered: $50 million over three years. Reportedly, Thompson chose Dallas because it is closer to winning it all, and also because of the fact that Texas has lower taxes than California.
Thompson had four-year offers for more money, but taking less was offset by the chance to win a fifth championship with the Mavs and difference in state taxes. Agent Greg Lawrence of @wassbasketball led Thompson in serious talks with Mavs and Lakers, among others.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
This all means it is back to the drawing board for the Purple and Gold, and their options are quickly dwindling.