Klay Thompson will begin the 2024-25 season with the Dallas Mavericks, ending his 13-year relationship with the Warriors after agreeing to a sign-and-trade. The Mavericks outperformed the Lakers, who had LeBron James personally recruit Thompson at the start of free agency. According to Marc Stein and Chris Haynes, Kyrie Irving did the same to Klay in an effort to battle James and the Lakers.

Marc Stein: “Klay Thompson met with both the Lakers and the Mavericks in Los Angeles on Sunday night, league sources said. In addition, Dallas had Klay’s old USA Basketball colleague Kyrie Irving counter-recruit LeBron James.”

According to Chris Haynes, Kyrie Irving played a crucial role in bringing Klay Thompson to Dallas. Irving was able to influence Thompson’s decision. That will always say volumes. You know Kyrie and Klay’s mutual regard for one other from their duels against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.”

It’s funny how things change in the NBA over time. Klay Thompson was one of LeBron and Kyrie’s fiercest enemies during their repeated Finals matchups, and now those two superstars have persuaded Klay to leave the Warriors after four titles.

Klay averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season, and his Warriors career ended on a bad note. Thompson agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with the Mavericks, which represented a modest reduction above what the Lakers had given him.

The signing was consummated as part of a three-team trade in which the Mavericks sent Josh Green to the Charlotte Hornets and sent the Warriors two second-round picks.

The low cost of joining the Mavs was aided by the state’s lack of income tax and an NBA Finals lineup that included a 25-year-old superstar in Luka Doncic. Irving being in Klay’s ear surely helped, and now the former adversaries will combine up to win Dallas its second NBA title in history.