Klay Thompson Turned Down Lakers Earlier Over Concerns About Their Ex-Superstar, Per Reports

After Klay Thompson picked Dallas over Los Angeles in 2024, the reason now looks sharper than it did back then. Christian Clark of The Athletic reported this week that Thompson believed in the fit next to Luka Doncic but had concerns about Anthony Davis’ ability to stay healthy.

"Thompson’s representatives had discussions with the Lakers about him winding up there," Clark wrote. "It would have made sense on several levels. ... But one of the reasons Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Lakers was that he had concerns about Davis’ availability, a source with knowledge of his thinking said."

The 2024 decision was never only about money. The Lakers offered more, including talks of a four-year package near $80 million that would have required a sign-and-trade involving D’Angelo Russell.

LeBron James called. Coach J.J. Redick called. Mychal Thompson, a two-time Lakers champion and team broadcaster, campaigned for his son to come home. But Klay still took a three-year, $50 million deal from Dallas.

Public explanations at the time cited Texas taxes, a promised starting role, and a team that had just been three wins from a title.

Thompson signed to play with Luka and avoided betting on Davis. But after he played 21 games alongside Doncic, the Slovenian point guard was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. This made the most negative impact on Thompson. Davis got injured in his first game for the Mavericks and got injured three more times that season. And Thompson never got the service he was hoping to get while signing for Dallas.

After two years without any playoffs, Thompson’s Dallas chapter then soured enough that the Mavericks bought him out. Miami, not the Lakers, is the expected next stop.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported he is expected to sign with Miami once he clears waivers. The Heat plan to use the remaining mid-level money to add him as floor spacing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

But Mychal is still trying. Klay has said he would welcome Los Angeles, where he owns a home. The front office still needs shooting after LeBron James left for Philadelphia. The 2024 concern about Davis is now a piece of history on a roster that no longer has Davis or James.

Thompson Never Felt Sorry for Himself

Although it never panned out the way Thompson wanted while being in Dallas, he always felt that professional athletes should always be strong enough to deal with situations like this.

“(Warriors coach) Steve Kerr used to tell me, “‘We don’t get paid because it’s fun. You get paid because it’s really hard and you have to deal with those obstacles that come at you,’” Thompson said, per The Athletic.

Thompson refused a bigger deal and a home connection just to play alongside Luka Doncic and receive everything that the Slovenian had to offer. Most importantly, he had doubts over Anthony Davis' probable game time and the help he would get from the then-Lakers Star.

But fate had something else for him. Now looks like he is heading towards Miami over Los Angeles again. Only time will tell if the 36-year-old's career pans out the way he wants it or not. But with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, Miami has the kind of interior certainty Thompson was looking for two summers ago.