Mychal Thompson on Klay Thompson's departure: 'Joe Lacob didn't want to spend all that money again'
“So, I don’t understand why Klay and the Warriors broke up. Do you?” Mychal Thompson: Salary cap, second apron, Joe Lacob didn’t want to spend all that money again, this super tax that they have to spend. So, yeah, it just didn’t work out, just bad timing. But you know, you can’t be bitter about anything. He had 13 great years with the Warriors, so we’re grateful and thankful for everything he went through with the Warriors. No reason to be bitter, just move on.”
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
![Chris Biderman](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1131666992266653707/1I-ZqYJF_normal.png)
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Klay Thompson had his mind set on leaving Warriors for multiple weeks warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/02/kla… pic.twitter.com/MIAH9dNI24 – 10:00 PM
Klay Thompson had his mind set on leaving Warriors for multiple weeks warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/02/kla… pic.twitter.com/MIAH9dNI24 – 10:00 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRm67SMXAAAGS5h.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRm67SMXAAAGS5h.jpg)
![Zach Lowe](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000547404235/8a06ce6d5a29c02e2e8e81c9874f3468_normal.png)
Zach Lowe @ZachLowe_NBA
New Lowe Post podcast — free agency wrap-up w/ @kpelton: Klay to Mavs, the Warriors pivot, Markkanen situation, LeBron and Bronny both sign, Donovan Mitchell extension/Cavs future, best offseasons, much more:
Spotify: spoti.fi/3RUjiaT
Apple: apple.co/3VQFN1J – 9:54 PM
New Lowe Post podcast — free agency wrap-up w/ @kpelton: Klay to Mavs, the Warriors pivot, Markkanen situation, LeBron and Bronny both sign, Donovan Mitchell extension/Cavs future, best offseasons, much more:
Spotify: spoti.fi/3RUjiaT
Apple: apple.co/3VQFN1J – 9:54 PM
![Jake Fischer](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1570131648624164865/Kmw10GPu_normal.jpg)
Jake Fischer @JakeLFischer
New ‘No Cap Room’ with @YourManDevine touches on so many corners of the offseason: Lakers and LeBron, Warriors and Klay, the Lauri Markkanen talks, Sacramento big-game hunting, and much more!
🍎: tinyurl.com/34k8peum
: tinyurl.com/mwrncct9
📺: youtu.be/Wfa5KhtOTpM – 5:56 PM
New ‘No Cap Room’ with @YourManDevine touches on so many corners of the offseason: Lakers and LeBron, Warriors and Klay, the Lauri Markkanen talks, Sacramento big-game hunting, and much more!
🍎: tinyurl.com/34k8peum
![✳](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2733.png)
📺: youtu.be/Wfa5KhtOTpM – 5:56 PM
![Sam Amick](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1571367214070247425/xiOLyvZh_normal.jpg)
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Inside the Hermosa Beach meeting that sealed Klay Thompson’s Warriors exit, and why he picked the Mavs over the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 3:00 PM
Inside the Hermosa Beach meeting that sealed Klay Thompson’s Warriors exit, and why he picked the Mavs over the Lakers, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 3:00 PM
![StatMuse](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1636055561987915777/RR1d6nF6_normal.jpg)
StatMuse @statmuse
Klay last season:
17.9 PPG
3.5 3PM
38.7 3P%
What will Klay average in Dallas? pic.twitter.com/KukuWBwEXN – 12:33 PM
Klay last season:
17.9 PPG
3.5 3PM
38.7 3P%
What will Klay average in Dallas? pic.twitter.com/KukuWBwEXN – 12:33 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRk5MuHaUAADPnu.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRk5MuHaUAADPnu.jpg)
![Mark Medina](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/776516261022879744/vFNHaRCZ_normal.jpg)
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) to @Sportskeeda about his Lakers’ sales pitch to Klay, Klay’s fit in Dallas & that Klay has no hard feelings toward the Warriors front office. Mychal: “You have to move on & just be thankful that you had your time there.” bit.ly/4btzLtI pic.twitter.com/qFAB3KEUz2 – 12:29 PM
Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) to @Sportskeeda about his Lakers’ sales pitch to Klay, Klay’s fit in Dallas & that Klay has no hard feelings toward the Warriors front office. Mychal: “You have to move on & just be thankful that you had your time there.” bit.ly/4btzLtI pic.twitter.com/qFAB3KEUz2 – 12:29 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRk3xcnbMAQ1YSL.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRk3xcnbMAQ1YSL.jpg)
![Chris Biderman](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1131666992266653707/1I-ZqYJF_normal.png)
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Report: Warriors receiving two second round picks in Klay Thompson sign-and-trade with Mavericks warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/01/rep… pic.twitter.com/BewzAK1kFv – 12:00 PM
Report: Warriors receiving two second round picks in Klay Thompson sign-and-trade with Mavericks warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/01/rep… pic.twitter.com/BewzAK1kFv – 12:00 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRkxpejWAAAtXGt.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRkxpejWAAAtXGt.jpg)
![Chuck Cooperstein](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/889194526170124291/LIbu87re_normal.jpg)
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
A really good intro for Mavs fans to Klay Thompson, player and person.
theringer.com/nba/2024/7/2/2… – 11:45 AM
A really good intro for Mavs fans to Klay Thompson, player and person.
theringer.com/nba/2024/7/2/2… – 11:45 AM
![Clemente Almanza](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1607569440463376384/bpxXT7aU_normal.jpg)
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Klay lowkey would’ve been a perfect fit on the Thunder. An elite high-volume outside shooter with championship pedigree. I would’ve liked the move – 11:15 AM
Klay lowkey would’ve been a perfect fit on the Thunder. An elite high-volume outside shooter with championship pedigree. I would’ve liked the move – 11:15 AM
![Todd Whitehead](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1548383418429239298/_QyUfxiK_normal.jpg)
Todd Whitehead @CrumpledJumper
While on the court together in regular season games, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry made three thousand five hundred and thirty-eight 3-pointers combined, more than any other backcourt duo in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/X0xrCAZAPn – 11:03 AM
While on the court together in regular season games, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry made three thousand five hundred and thirty-eight 3-pointers combined, more than any other backcourt duo in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/X0xrCAZAPn – 11:03 AM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRjDQ-Vb0AUgY65.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRjDQ-Vb0AUgY65.jpg)
![Clemente Almanza](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1607569440463376384/bpxXT7aU_normal.jpg)
Clemente Almanza @CAlmanza1007
Rumor: Thunder had interest in Klay Thompson (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2024/07/03/rum… – 11:01 AM
Rumor: Thunder had interest in Klay Thompson (via @The_ThunderWire):
okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2024/07/03/rum… – 11:01 AM
![Kendra Andrews](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1506614156706861072/kFVDWXI7_normal.jpg)
Kendra Andrews @kendra__andrews
“The last two years had been miserable as they both tried to evolve, to accept their new realities. Rather than fighting against the dying of the light, why not fight for something new?”
ESPN story w/ @ramonashelburne on the end of Klay in Golden State: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:55 AM
“The last two years had been miserable as they both tried to evolve, to accept their new realities. Rather than fighting against the dying of the light, why not fight for something new?”
ESPN story w/ @ramonashelburne on the end of Klay in Golden State: espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 10:55 AM
![Sam Amick](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1571367214070247425/xiOLyvZh_normal.jpg)
Sam Amick @sam_amick
The money mattered a great deal to Klay Thompson with Golden State. But with the Mavs, who could only offer so much less than the Lakers, he remembered the lesson learned in last Warriors season: Money doesn’t buy happiness.
More here, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 10:25 AM
The money mattered a great deal to Klay Thompson with Golden State. But with the Mavs, who could only offer so much less than the Lakers, he remembered the lesson learned in last Warriors season: Money doesn’t buy happiness.
More here, at @TheAthletic
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 10:25 AM
![Chris Biderman](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1131666992266653707/1I-ZqYJF_normal.png)
Chris Biderman @TheWarriorsWire
Klay Thompson refused to let Steph Curry help land new Warriors deal warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/02/kla… pic.twitter.com/JGjlDK9VMZ – 10:00 AM
Klay Thompson refused to let Steph Curry help land new Warriors deal warriorswire.usatoday.com/2024/07/02/kla… pic.twitter.com/JGjlDK9VMZ – 10:00 AM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRkWPM8XwAAFSBJ.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRkWPM8XwAAFSBJ.jpg)
![Ramona Shelburne](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1649203280516644866/prhnJ1gk_normal.jpg)
Ramona Shelburne @ramonashelburne
Six weeks ago Warriors owner Joe Lacob invited Klay Thompson to play a round of golf at Riviera. This would’ve been the time to work things out. Instead, there was nothing left to say. The marriage was already over. Story w/ @kendra__andrews espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 9:58 AM
Six weeks ago Warriors owner Joe Lacob invited Klay Thompson to play a round of golf at Riviera. This would’ve been the time to work things out. Instead, there was nothing left to say. The marriage was already over. Story w/ @kendra__andrews espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 9:58 AM
![Michael Dugat](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/427239095954178048/QOAcoHl0_normal.jpeg)
Michael Dugat @mdug
hearing the Mavs just played the video they’d made years ago for Dwight Howard in the Klay meeting – he loved it. – 9:58 AM
hearing the Mavs just played the video they’d made years ago for Dwight Howard in the Klay meeting – he loved it. – 9:58 AM
![Sam Amick](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1571367214070247425/xiOLyvZh_normal.jpg)
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Why Klay Thompson chose the Mavs over the Lakers, and put the Warriors in his past, at @TheAthletic
* Details about dinner with Dallas’ Nico Harrison and Michael Finley
* The final Warriors days and more on the Joe Lacob factor in his departure
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 9:56 AM
Why Klay Thompson chose the Mavs over the Lakers, and put the Warriors in his past, at @TheAthletic
* Details about dinner with Dallas’ Nico Harrison and Michael Finley
* The final Warriors days and more on the Joe Lacob factor in his departure
nytimes.com/athletic/56135… – 9:56 AM
![Sirius XM NBA](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/920348653570621441/NB17I9Va_normal.jpg)
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Tune in to hear @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine NOW on The Starting Lineup!
🏀 Bronny James’ Comments
🏀 Draymond Green on Klay
🏀 WNBA All-Stars Named
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/eQwx39EuqH – 7:02 AM
Tune in to hear @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine NOW on The Starting Lineup!
🏀 Bronny James’ Comments
🏀 Draymond Green on Klay
🏀 WNBA All-Stars Named
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/eQwx39EuqH – 7:02 AM
![Brad Turner](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1578964295739535360/yIKML1I2_normal.jpg)
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Mychal Thompson tried to recruit Klay to Lakers, ‘really disappointed’ he chose Mavs latimes.com/sports/story/2… – 8:29 PM
Mychal Thompson tried to recruit Klay to Lakers, ‘really disappointed’ he chose Mavs latimes.com/sports/story/2… – 8:29 PM
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Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
If you missed any of our interview with Mychal Thompson you can hear it now on the @SIRIUSXM App
🔊 sxm.app.link/MychalThompson pic.twitter.com/Z4rSYuYUQN – 4:14 PM
If you missed any of our interview with Mychal Thompson you can hear it now on the @SIRIUSXM App
🔊 sxm.app.link/MychalThompson pic.twitter.com/Z4rSYuYUQN – 4:14 PM
![https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRgh86sWQAAIMSq.jpg](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRgh86sWQAAIMSq.jpg)
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Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“I’m not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood.”
Mychal Thompson had hopes that his son, Klay Thompson, would join the Lakers.
@champagnennuts | @TheFrankIsola | @Scalabrine pic.twitter.com/8TH9bV3Ktw – 11:34 AM
“I’m not feeling too much in a congratulatory mood.”
Mychal Thompson had hopes that his son, Klay Thompson, would join the Lakers.
@champagnennuts | @TheFrankIsola | @Scalabrine pic.twitter.com/8TH9bV3Ktw – 11:34 AM
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Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 Klay to Dallas
Latest News in Boston
🇨🇦 @arielhelwani at 8:00am ET
🏀 Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) at 9:00am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/Zl2oYd4pBB – 7:02 AM
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 Klay to Dallas
![☘](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/14.0.0/72x72/2618.png)
🇨🇦 @arielhelwani at 8:00am ET
🏀 Mychal Thompson (@champagnennuts) at 9:00am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.twitter.com/Zl2oYd4pBB – 7:02 AM
More on this storyline
Mychal Thompson: “With state taxes and the cost of living, it sort of equals out. So, if you make 80 million in California, if you made 60-65 in Texas, it’s the same thing. But he’s making more money in Texas, yeah, take-home money, because of state tax. But that’s not the reason why he chose it. He looked at the opportunity to play with Kyrie and Luka and get back to the finals.” -via YouTube / July 4, 2024
ESPN reported that LeBron made a pitch to Klay as well. Do you have any insight on that pitch? Mychal Thompson: “I just heard that from the experts and pundits out there. I thought that was very complimentary and very flattering. If that was true, that shows you how much LeBron thought of Klay. That was very flattering, if that’s the truth.” -via SportsKeeda / July 3, 2024
Once it became clear that Klay Thompson would not play for the Golden State Warriors as he had initially hoped, his father rekindled his efforts to ensure a life-long dream. Mychal Thompson persistently pitched to Klay that he should sign with the Lakers. Mychal shared stories with Klay about his time with the Showtime Lakers. Mychal brought up Klay’s idol, the late Kobe Bryant. Mychal detailed how LeBron James and Anthony Davis would ensure Klay could become the consistently dominant shooter he was during the Warriors’ four NBA title runs. Mychal even reminded Klay about the various harbors in LA that he could store and ride his boat. No matter. Klay joined the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal in a multi-team sign-and-trade. “I’m happy for him,” Mychal told Sportskeeda, “because he seems to be happy with his decision.” -via SportsKeeda / July 3, 2024
What were your sales pitches to Klay? Mychal Thompson: “Mainly that this was home. He grew up here basically, and he idolized Kobe. Kobe was his man and basketball idol, and it would’ve been cool just like how I finished my career with my basketball idol in playing with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. That’s who I grew up idolizing. I was able to play alongside him and play in the same uniform as him. I thought that would be a fitting end for Klay to play in Kobe’s uniform and for the franchise that Kobe represented. That would’ve been a nice bookend to his career. But it wasn’t meant to be, so be it.” -via SportsKeeda / July 3, 2024
How have you processed the last 48 hours with Klay’s decision to go to Dallas? Thompson: “The bottom line is that as a father, as long as your son or daughter is happy, that’s all that matters. If Klay is happy, then I’m cool.” How have you weighed that with your hopes that Klay would’ve joined the Lakers? Mychal Thompson: “I would’ve loved it. I’m sure he would’ve done a good job if he had chosen to play here. But he seems to be happy with his decision. But it would’ve been nice to have him at home. If he couldn’t be a Warrior, I always would’ve wanted to see him play for the Lakers. It almost happened, but it didn’t. As long as he made the decision he wanted to make and is satisfied and happy with it, then I’m cool with it. Life is full of adjustments. Everybody has to go through it. Klay and us are no different.” -via SportsKeeda / July 3, 2024