DALLAS — After the shortest offseason in years, the Dallas Mavericks’ road to a return trip to the NBA Finals gets underway in a matter of weeks. For a team that looked to be at a crossroads heading into training camp just a year ago before they ran through the Western Conference in the playoffs, the vibes are immaculate and even more so after a fruitful restocking over the summer. On the strength of an MVP-caliber season for guard Luka Doncic, and a comeback campaign for Kyrie Irving, Dallas reached the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2010-2011 championship.
Now the hard part is getting those final few wins to help Doncic and company hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy for his first time and just the second time ever in franchise history. To do so, Dallas signed a rare marquee free agent addition when five-time All-Star, and four-time NBA champion, Klay Thompson joined the team. BREAKING: Free agent Klay Thompson plans to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50M deal with a player option, sources tell ESPN.
Thompson ends his historic Warriors run as part of a multi-team sign-and-trade that’ll also send Josh Green to Charlotte. pic.twitter.
com/4GJ5hR3H5o For Dallas, Thompson choosing to leave the Golden State Warriors, and picking them over the Los Angeles Lakers, was validation of their swift turnaround in team culture and their standing among the league’s best teams. Thompson chose the Mavs because he thought he had a stronger chance to win another champ.