"It's LeBron's show": Chris Broussard dissects why Klay Thompson chose the Mavericks over Lakers

The LA Lakers have long been regarded as a free-agent destination. Playing in the West Coast climate while under the bright lights of L.A., players have been drawn into the glamor market of the city.

However, with the onset of this year’s free agency, the Lakers seemed to have struggled to strike a big-name free agent. They missed out on the likes of Paul George and especially Klay Thompson, who chose the Dallas Mavericks over the Lakers despite loud rumors of his interest in joining the Purple and Gold throughout the offseason.

With this predicament, NBA analyst Chris Broussard explained on First Things First why Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, chose the lesser market in Dallas than in L.A.

“Once he decided in free agency that he will not come back to Golden State, Dallas was his first choice,” Broussard said citing a report by ESPN.

“Before he had talked to teams or met with anybody, Dallas was his first choice. He had watched film. He thought he’d be a great basketball fit.”

Broussard then pointed out that it had nothing to do with how the Lakers are perceived, because, for him, Thompson thought the Mavericks were the best place for him to continue his successful career and perhaps contend for another title.

“I do think, rightly, he felt like this is the best place for him,” Broussard said before jumping on the Lakers side of the situation.

“I don’t put that on the Lakers. Also, there are some that are likely going to say ‘Oh he didn’t want to play with LeBron.’ Here's the thing, the same things that if like some players not wanting to play for LeBron or whatever, that’s been said about Luka (Doncic) too.”

Broussard also pointed out Luka Doncic’s former teammates who, he thinks, didn't have fun playing with him, including Kristaps Porzingis, who just won the 2024 NBA title with the Boston Celtics, and Jalen Brunson, who turned himself into an All-Star when he joined the New York Knicks.

Eventually, Thompson just wants to contribute to a winning team that he thinks he fits best.

"The Lakers are a bigger fishbowl than the Warriors. Klay (Thompson) was in Steph (Curry's) shadow, & (in LA) it's LeBron (James') team. If they won a title, it'd be about LeBron winning his 5th ring."

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What the LA Lakers offered for new Dallas Maverick Klay Thompson

After two months of wait following his final game with the Warriors, Thompson picked out the Mavericks to be his second NBA team. He signed a three-year, $50 million deal to establish a big three in Dallas alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

However, it was revealed that Thompson took a massive discount with his Mavericks contract, as the Lakers had a four-year, $80 million contract offer to bring him.

Thompson’s acquisition, though, involved a sign-and-trade with the Warriors and the Charlotte Hornets, which involved Josh Green and De’Anthony Melton.

Despite scoring zero points in his final game last season, Thompson remains a coveted piece across the league after averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting 38.7% from the 3-point line.