How The Dallas Mavericks Signed Klay Thompson To A 3-Year, $50 Million Deal
Free agent and four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson has opted for a lower salary to join the Dallas Mavericks, agreeing to a three-year, $50 million deal, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Despite having more lucrative four-year contract offers from other teams, the five-time All-Star chose the Mavericks to pursue a fifth championship. The absence of state income tax in Texas also influenced his decision. The Los Angeles Lakers were another team actively pursuing Thompson during free agency.
Thompson and his agent, Greg Lawrence of Wasserman Basketball, met with Mavericks officials, including general manager Nico Harrison and vice president of basketball operations Michael Finley, at the Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, California, on Sunday night. This meeting was pivotal in winning Thompson over.
According to Marc Stein, Kyrie Irving also played a role in persuading Thompson. Former Team USA teammates, Irving joined the Mavericks’ recruitment efforts to counter the Lakers’ pitch and LeBron James’ influence.
Thompson, 34, will join the Mavericks through a multiteam trade involving the Golden State Warriors and Charlotte Hornets. The final details are still being worked out, but Dallas will send four-year veteran wing Josh Green to Charlotte in exchange for two second-round draft picks. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports notes that the Warriors’ return in the deal is still undecided. Thompson’s addition follows the Mavericks’ signing of forward Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million deal, which initially hard-capped Dallas at the first apron. Trading Green, however, keeps the Mavericks below it, as reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The NBA set its annual salary cap at $140.588 million on Monday morning. After signing Thompson, Dallas’ projected salary stands at $175 million, which is above the $170.8 million luxury tax level but over $3 million below the first apron of $178.3 million. The two tax aprons impose nonfinancial penalties that limit roster construction.
Last season, Thompson averaged 17.9 points—his lowest in eight seasons—along with 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29.7 minutes over 77 games. He shot 43.2% overall and 38.7% from three-point range.
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