In a surprising move, Klay Thompson has agreed in principle to join the Dallas Mavericks on a lucrative three-year, $50 million deal, league sources have confirmed. Thompson's departure from the Golden State Warriors was influenced by contract disputes and last season's inconsistent shooting performance. The decision has sent shockwaves throughout the league and will have a ripple effect on free agency negotiations.

The Warriors offered Thompson a two-year deal worth approximately $50 million, which was significantly less than the four-year, $100 million contract extension they gave Draymond Green. This valuation difference for the Warriors' key trio members contributed to the path that eventually led Thompson to leave the team.

Had Thompson returned to Golden State, sources reveal that the plan was to bring him off the bench behind sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors had given Podziemski several starts during the second half of last season, indicating their intention to develop the young talent.

Thompson's move to Dallas will impact the mid-level market, as several wings were waiting for players like Paul George, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Thompson to finalize their deals before choosing their landing spots. The Los Angeles Lakers, who were in the running for Thompson, still have an interest in acquiring veteran scorer DeMar DeRozan.

One of the biggest domino effects of Thompson's decision could be the future of All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen. The Golden State Warriors, known for their pursuit of top-tier talent this summer, have expressed interest in acquiring Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. Sources suggest that the Jazz are open to trade discussions and are exploring their options, including potential deals similar to what the Brooklyn Nets received for Mikal Bridges.

While the Jazz continue to gather information from interested teams, the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs are also considered strong suitors for Markkanen. The Kings might have to part with Keegan Murray in order to secure a trade, while the Spurs have also shown interest. Minnesota is another team that has expressed interest in acquiring Markkanen.

With Thompson's decision finalized, the Warriors swiftly moved to sign De'Anthony Melton to a one-year deal worth the full mid-level exception of $12.8 million. This move became possible after Thompson's cap hold was removed from the Warriors' books and they waived Chris Paul.

As for the Mavericks, the addition of Thompson is seen as another successful move by their front office led by Nico Harrison. Harrison has been praised for previous acquisitions such as Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington, which contributed to the team's run to the NBA Finals. Additionally, the Mavericks secured the signing of Naji Marshall on a three-year, $27 million deal to further strengthen their wing group.

The Lakers, now faced with the loss of Thompson, will face an intriguing challenge in their efforts to recover. Despite LeBron James expressing a willingness to take a pay cut, time is running out for the Lakers to secure additional talent to bolster the team. In their pursuit of DeMar DeRozan, the Lakers may need to involve a third team to alleviate salary constraints, potentially considering players like D'Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent.

Thompson's decision to join the Mavericks has undoubtedly shaken up the league and will have a lasting impact on various teams' strategies in free agency. As negotiations continue, all eyes will be on the ripple effects of this significant move and how teams adapt to the changing landscape of the NBA.