NBA Fans Drop LeBron, Pelinka Memes as Klay Thompson Rumored to Join Mavs over Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers lost out on yet another free-agent target on Monday, as star shooting guard Klay Thompson intends to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

It was no secret that the Lakers were interested in the former Golden State Warriors star to add him alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they will have to pivot to other options in hopes of improving their roster for next season.

Fans on social media couldn't help but poke fun at James and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka following another failed free-agent pursuit:

The Lakers were among the teams Thompson scheduled meetings with during his first foray into free agency. Wojnarowski reported that James even reached out to Thompson directly at the start of free agency.

"I'm told LeBron James called Klay Thompson right when free agency opened," Wojnarowski said. "... These conversations, this negotiation will go into tomorrow."

Even Thompson's father, former Lakers great Mychal Thompson, joined the masses in clamoring to see his son donning the Purple and Gold.

Many were intrigued by the possibility of the 34-year-old joining Los Angeles, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst said during a radio appearance that he believed Thompson would be "a perfect fit" with the team.

Unfortunately for Lakers fans, the four-time champion chose to join Dallas. Wojnarowski added that Thompson had four-year offers worth more money, but he was willing to take less because of "the chance to win a fifth championship with the Mavs and difference in state taxes."

Dallas is coming off a surprising run to the NBA Finals this past season, where it fell to the Boston Celtics in five games. The Mavs have a core led by MVP contender Luka Dončić and All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, so adding Thompson to the mix puts them in the conversation of top contenders in the Western Conference.

After losing out on Thompson, Pelinka is back at the drawing board, as the Lakers will have to explore alternatives to compete for a title next season.