Dad ‘disillusioned’ Klay Thompson picked Mavericks over Lakers

Klay Thompson’s determination to signal with the Dallas Mavericks as a free agent did not get an overarching stamp of approval from his father — former Los Angeles Lakers star Mychal Thompson.

“I am not feeling an excessive amount of in a congratulatory temper proper now,” Mychal Thompson instructed SiriusXM NBA Radio on Tuesday morning.

Klay Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks on Monday, sources instructed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Lakers have been extraordinarily intriguing to Klay Thompson, sources mentioned, however the monetary financial savings from dwelling in Texas over California and the truth that the Mavericks got here inside three victories of an NBA championship have been massive components in his determination.

“You understand, as a result of, I imply, clearly it is Klay’s determination. It is his life,” Mychal Thompson mentioned on the radio present. “He is a grown man, 34 years of age, identical to we have been 34 at one time. And our fathers used to offer us recommendation and, you already know, we might select our personal path and that is wonderful, that is what life is meant to be about.

“… I am actually disillusioned. I hoped, as you may assess, that he can be a Laker. And it was shut. It got here right down to the Lakers and the Mavs, however the Mavs received out. However you already know me, I hoped and praying he’d end his profession with the Lakers.”

Mychal Thompson performed for the “Showtime” Lakers from 1987 to 1991 and received two NBA championships in that span.

“When he instructed me that the Lakers have been speaking to him, or going to speak to him … clearly I attempted to promote enjoying for the Lakers,” Mychal Thompson, who’s a radio analyst for Lakers video games, mentioned. “Clearly that is the precise factor for me to do and the correct factor for me to do. And I felt prefer it was the proper factor for me to do as a result of I actually imagine on this franchise.

“The franchise has been so good to me and my household, together with Klay. He grew up a Laker fan. He grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant like most gamers his age, most children his age. So I simply thought it appeared like it might be the right match for him to lastly come again house.”

Klay Thompson received 4 NBA championships in his 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, however his position fluctuated all through final season, together with him being moved to a bench position in late February.

He averaged 17.9 factors final season, his lowest since 2012-13.

“We all the time talked about him enjoying for the Lakers,” Mychal Thompson mentioned. “If he was not a Golden State Warrior, the place else would he need to play? And naturally, being a fan of Kobe’s, he would’ve liked to have performed for the Lakers.

“However he had an opportunity, and when the possibility got here, he selected the Mavericks as a substitute. And I am going to dwell with it. I settle for it and I am blissful for him that he is blissful together with his determination. However yeah, after all I attempted to promote him on the Lakers.”

ESPN’s Kendra Andrews contributed to this report.