Klay Thompson Joins Dallas Mavericks as Free Agent

Klay Thompson, a former All-Star shooting guard, chose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks instead of the Los Angeles Lakers, despite his family's history with the Lakers and his admiration for Kobe Bryant. Mark Cuban, the Mavericks' owner, credited the team's strong relationships with Thompson as a key factor in his decision, suggesting he was ready for a change after a disappointing season with the Warriors. Meanwhile, Cuban reflected on the Mavericks' past regret of passing on Giannis Antetokounmpo during the 2013 draft, opting instead for Shane Larkin to create salary cap space for other signings. Cuban noted that had they drafted Giannis, they might not have secured Luka Doncic later, which has turned out beneficial for the franchise. He emphasized the challenges of scouting foreign talent at the time, recalling the limited resources available to evaluate Giannis. The Mavericks are now focused on building around Doncic, acknowledging the evolution of NBA scouting since then.