Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson reportedly prefers signing with the Los Angeles Lakers if the Dallas Mavericks buy out his contract.
Thompson, owed $17.4M in 2026-27, may pursue a buyout as the Mavericks prepare to usher in the Cooper Flagg era and transition away from their veteran stars, according to longtime Lakers voice John Ireland.
“Klay did not sign up for a rebuild,” Ireland said on ESPN LA’s “Mason & Ireland” show on Thursday.
“Dallas is going to [do a rebuild], now that AD [Anthony Davis] is out. And if Klay got bought out, I have it on good authority that the first call his agent would make would be to the Lakers. Because he would love to finish his career here.”
Klay Thompson Rejected Lakers
During his free agency in 2024, Thompson reportedly chose the Mavericks over the Lakers specifically to play alongside Luka Doncic. Now that the Slovenian is in Los Angeles, Thompson perhaps wants to finish what he started before the Mavs shockingly traded Doncic to the Lakers last year.
“…With the Lakers waiting in the wings and LeBron James himself even promising to take a significant pay cut if it meant Thompson would wear the purple and gold, he wanted to learn all about life as a Dallas Maverick,” The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in Oct. 2024 about Thompson’s change of heart about signing with the Lakers.
“…Thompson had watched the Mavericks’ NBA Finals run and told those close to him how he envisioned fitting in, creating space for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the offensive end while bringing his championship credentials to their rising program.”
The move left his father, former Lakers center Mychal Thompson, disappointed.
“… I’m really disappointed,” he said in 2024. “I was hoping that he would be a Laker. And it was close. It came down to the Lakers and the Mavs, but the Mavs won out. But you know me, I was hoping and praying he’d finish his career with the Lakers.”
Klay Thompson Trade Still Possible
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last month that the Mavericks were open to trading Klay Thompson and three other players ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“The Mavericks are open to exploring the trade markets for Davis, center Daniel Gafford and guards Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, sources said.”
With Davis’ injury, all Mavericks trade plans could be held off until the summer. However, there’s still the possibility of the franchise not going through a rebuild, with governor Patrick Dumont reportedly keen to see Davis, Irving, Flagg, Thompson and the rest of their talented roster play together before taking a drastic step.
“With Patrick Dumont in that decision-making seat, what he wants is to see the core trio, and that’s Kyrie Irving, yes, Davis, then Flagg together before making any major decisions,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said on his “Howdy Partners” podcast last week.
Averaging 2.9 threes per game this season, Thompson can still help a veteran team with his championship pedigree and marksmanship. There’s also been some buzz about the former Splash Brother returning to the Warriors to finish his storied career.
The Lakers, who rank 23rd in 3P% and 24th in 3PM, could definitely use Thompson.
4-Time NBA Champ Will Sign With Lakers If Bought Out: Report