The Dallas Mavericks are determined to bounce back from a disappointing season that saw their NBA title aspirations fall short after reaching the finals for the first time since 2011. To revitalize the team, Kyrie Irving has emerged as a pivotal figure, reportedly playing a crucial role in recruiting Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors.
According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Irving’s influence was ‘very instrumental’ in persuading Thompson to join the Mavericks.
“Kyrie Irving was a big pivotal somebody who was very instrumental in recruiting Klay Thompson to Dallas, he was in Klay Thompson’s ear. That’s always gonna speak volumes. You know the mutual respect that Kyrie and Klay have for each other, being in those duels between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors,” Haynes said.
By ending his 13-year tenure with the Warriors, Thompson decided to part ways with the team through a sign-and-trade deal. Despite initial interest in joining LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers, Thompson ultimately chose the Mavericks over the Lakers.
This decision followed a period of tension between Thompson and the Warriors, during which he notably unfollowed the team on Instagram.
Klay Thompson Weighs Options in L.A. Meetings with Lakers and Mavericks
Klay Thompson was initially indecisive about his next team during free agency. Later, Thompson received a persuasive phone call from LeBron James, who was aiming to recruit him for the Lakers. However, Kyrie Irving, Thompson’s former USA Basketball teammate, emerged as a decisive factor in diverting Thompson’s attention away from LeBron’s efforts after he met with both teams.
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“Klay Thompson had face-to-face meetings with both the Lakers and Mavericks in L.A. on Sunday night, league sources say. In addition, Dallas had Klay’s former USA Basketball teammate Kyrie Irving to counter recruiting from LeBron James,” Matc Stein reported.
Thompson appears set to join the Mavericks on a lucrative three-year, $50 million contract. If the deal is finalized, the Warriors and Charlotte Hornets will make a sign-and-trade arrangement.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the deal also includes the Mavericks sending two second-round picks to the Warriors to finalize the transaction.
Also Read: NBA Fans Divided Over Golden State Warriors’ Announcement to Retire Klay Thompson’s Jersey Number in Future.
