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Klay Thompson chose the Dallas Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers due to the belief that he could be the missing piece for a team that had just reached The Finals. The Mavericks also promised him a starting spot.

"Honestly, it's rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental and my career," Thompson said. "So, I really feel the love here, and I feel highly valued that I can do great things."

Thompson won four championships with the Golden State Warriors, but the two sides reached a point where a separation would benefit everyone.

"I'm so grateful for everything I experienced at Golden State," Thompson said. "But I mean, I've seen some of my favorite athletes pivot and have tremendous success. When I think of Shaq[uille O'Neal] leaving the Lakers and winning a ring or Tom Brady winning one with Tampa Bay, it's been done before.

"That was my main goal at this point in my career. I just want to win, and this team is so close. I just wanted to be a part of that when July 1 hit [free agency]. It's human nature to think about your future. As present as you're supposed to be, we're all human. We all think about that. Now, to know I'm locked in for a few years here, it allows me to be free."

Thompson accepted a three-year, $50 million offer from Dallas even though the Lakers had discussed a longer-term deal for more money.

Thompson ultimately got to leave Golden State on his own terms.

"I just, like, freely thought about it at the end. I was like, 'Do I have more to give [the Warriors] or would going somewhere else motivate me to add a new chapter to my legacy?'" Thompson said. "And that's what I decided on. And I haven't looked back since."

Via Tim MacMahon/ESPN

Im glad he's doing better mentally. But his presence has set the reigning West champs back. His D is horrendous and when his shot is off, he's pretty darn useless

If he feels rejuvenated why is he playing as he aged five years during the summer?

I put that into the adaptation process.

So many years playing same systems, with same teammates and under same coach creates a comfort zone.
He looks slow because he's not playing with auto-pilot and takes him a second to make any decission.

When he actually interiorizes Dallas game, will be the moment to judge his physical pace.
At this point, is more a mental and tactical issue.

I wonder if Mavs are wishing they went and got Buddy Hield instead.

One of the greatest shooters and a HoFer no doubt. But Tom Brady and Shaq comparisons?

Reading is fundamental. He mentioned those two as guys who were established with a team and won multiple titles with said teams only to move on for varying reasons and find success elsewhere (coincidentally both with Florida teams) by winning a title.

3ptLion wrote:One of the greatest shooters and a HoFer no doubt. But Tom Brady and Shaq comparisons?

Revived wrote:I wonder if Mavs are wishing they went and got Buddy Hield instead.

Different situation; different surrounding players. Situation matters and Hield has been in a lot of situations where he didn't play this well..... but yeah, probably.