Kyrie Irving Countered Lakers Superstar LeBron James In Battle For $50 Million Star

Klay Thompson decided to part ways with the Golden State Warriors and attracted the attention of pretty much every NBA team. The Los Angeles Lakers wanted him and LeBron James was the one recruiting Thompson, but Kyrie Irving did it better.

The Dallas Mavericks relied on Irving’s recruiting skills. Los Angeles needs a third star behind LeBron and Anthony Davis. Thompson looked like an ideal candidate for the Lakers. Adrian Wojnarowski from ESPN reported that LeBron called Thompson on the first day of free agency. There’s more. LeBron agreed to take a pay cut and give the Lakers enough flexibility to pursue Thompson.

Thompson had meetings with LA and Dallas and Irving helped him make a decision.

“Klay Thompson had face-to-face meetings with both the Lakers and Mavericks in L.A. on Sunday night, league sources say,” Stein said. “In addition, Dallas had Klay’s former USA Basketball teammate Kyrie Irving to counter recruiting from LeBron James.”

The Mavericks offered Thomson a three-year deal worth $50 million. He wanted to play with a team that actually made the NBA Finals. It’s interesting to note that LA was willing to give Thompson a four-year deal worth $80 million.

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 @USABasketball teammate Kyrie Irving to counter recruiting from LeBron James.

More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVmnZ8Y https://t.co/ADUvbGRe9Y

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2024

“Thompson had four-year offers for more money, but taking less was offset by the chance to win a fifth championship with the Mavs and difference in state taxes,” Wojnarowski said. “Agent Greg Lawrence of [Wasserman Basketball] led Thompson in serious talks with Mavs and Lakers, among others.”

LeBron lost the battle to a devoted Irving

Irving faced many challenges in the last few seasons. His issues ended when he became one of the key players for the Mavericks. His stats went up and so did his personality.

“I’m very responsible with what I say and what I do and how I approach my day-to-day life,” Irving said in May. “And as a young person, I wasn’t really thinking about any of that. I really didn’t have an understanding of who I was as a person. I had to figure that out.

“And what you’re seeing now is a version of me that I’m proud of. I look at myself every day in the mirror and give myself affirmations. I meditate, I pray. I’m just more consistent in my daily practices to help me stay grounded. Part of knowing who you are is knowing where you came from.”