Lakers News: Jeanie Buss Blasted for Fumbling Klay Thompson to Mavs – “Dr. Buss Never Had a Problem Getting Free Agents”

With Klay Thompson accepting a 3-year $50 million deal with the Mavs, Dub Nation was left heartbroken. It is an understandable reaction considering he spent his entire career there, however, there was one more team that wasn’t too thrilled about Klay’s move. And it was the Lakers, who reportedly were willing to offer him an even bigger 4-year $80 million contract. But losing to the Mavs to convince the sharpshooter, Jeanie Buss has publicly gotten an earful from veteran analyst Nick Wright for being unable to lure free agents.

Addressing Klay picking the Mavs over his hometown team on First Things First, Nick did not buy that the Lakers made a legitimate offer. “If I can’t sign it, it’s not an offer.” Regardless of the reports, Rob Pelinka did not have enough money in cap space to offer Klay twenty million in annual salary. Moreover, they have made no moves in free agency so far to make room for it either.

Wright believes that most good front offices would “clear out space beforehand, so it’s ready to go.” But the Lakers somehow failed to do so with Klay. As per the reports, the LA side was even willing to send D’Angelo Russell to the Warriors in a possible sign and trade, but the team wasn’t interested.

Then, there were also reports about Klay denying the Lakers’ offer because of the high state tax in California as compared to that in Dallas, which would have significantly lowered his annual net income despite the bigger deal. But Wright reminded his viewers that this isn’t a new hurdle, saying, “State of California and the state of Texas, did not recently undergo some massive tax changes.”

While the inability to sign Klay was partially blamed on California’s state tax, the Lakers have historically overcome that challenge in the past and were once a preferred destination for free agents despite the tax rate. Be it the glamorous Hollywood life or the chance to play for one of the most storied franchises in the league, players dreamed of wearing a Lakers uniform during the Jerry Buss era.

But that somehow has not been the case under Jeanie Buss’ ownership. Wright called her out by giving her the harsh reality check, “Dr. Buss never had a problem getting free agents with those taxes, and Mark Cuban forever missed out on free agents despite the taxes.” Running the team for over three decades until he passed away, Jerry Buss always managed to form elite championship-caliber teams by bringing in big-name free agents.

Meanwhile, Cuban historically struggled to make the Mavs a go-to destination for players despite immense success with Dirk Nowitzki and now Luka Doncic. But Jeanie and Pelinka were unable to stop the Mavs from stealing Klay from their grasp this time.

Even Klay Thompson’s father couldn’t get him to join Jeanie Buss’ Lakers!

With LA being his hometown and his father Mychal playing for the historic franchise and now working there as a broadcaster, it should have been an easy decision for Klay. However, the reality was far from the expectations. Set to make $30 million less in Dallas than what the Lakers were willing to offer him, it looks like Klay really didn’t want to play for Jeanie Buss’ team. That too after LeBron James reportedly had a conversation with Klay over the phone and possibly tried to recruit him as his teammate.

Moreover, there have been reports that LBJ is even ready to take a pay cut so that his team is able to add some firepower for next season. But Klay didn’t find the offer intriguing enough. Even Klay’s father wanted him to join the Lakers for the final stage of his career as he revealed in a recent interview, “I was hoping … that he would be a Laker. And it was close, it came down to the Lakers and the Mavs, but the Mavs won out. But you know me, I was hoping and praying he’d finish his career with the Lakers.”

Hoping to make his wish come true, Mychal also tried to convince his son to play for their hometown team but failed. “I’ll live with it, I accept it, and I’m happy for him that he’s happy with his decision. But yes, of course, I tried to sell him on the Lakers.” And if Klay didn’t want to join the Lakers despite so many ties, maybe Jeanie Buss needs to assess why free agents are no longer willing to be a part of the historic franchise. What do you think?

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the alleged Shaq and Kobe Lakers beef. Keep checking this space for more such updates.