According to what sources told ESPN, the four-time champ was looking to win a fifth title with the Mavericks, who were the Western Conference champs in May 2024. Apparently Klay was also interested in the Lakers, but was partially inspired to choose the Mavericks thanks to the lower cost of living in Texas over California.

There had already been rumors that Klay and the Warriors wouldn’t renew their contract, with head coach Steve Kerr telling the San Francisco Chronicle in April 2024 that when he asked Klay if he was still having fun, Klay’s “answer frequently was no.”