Klay Thompson is set to leave the Dallas Mavericks and join the Miami Heat, with the veteran sharpshooter agreeing to a two-year contract after reaching a buyout agreement with Dallas.
Thompson must first clear waivers before completing the move, but multiple reports indicate that Miami is his intended destination, with the deal expected to be worth nearly $13 million and include a player option for the second season.
Thompson's Dallas chapter comes to an end
The Mavericks confirmed their buyout agreement with Thompson on Friday, ending his two-season stay in Dallas.
The 36-year-old originally joined the Mavericks in 2024 after spending the first 13 seasons of his NBA career with the Golden State Warriors, where he won four championships alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
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His time in Dallas, however, never developed as hoped.
Thompson appeared in 141 games for the Mavericks and averaged 12.9 points per game across his two seasons. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points while shooting 38.3% from three-point range.
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Dallas subsequently entered a significant rebuild, making a veteran of Thompson's profile less central to its plans.
Why Miami makes sense
The Heat have been looking for additional shooting, and Thompson provides exactly that.
Miami already possesses two major pieces in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, while Thompson's ability to stretch the floor could give the team's offence another dimension.
The Heat shot 36.1% from three-point range last season, ranking 11th in the NBA, making perimeter shooting an obvious area for improvement.
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Thompson remains one of basketball's most accomplished long-range shooters.
He ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,899 made three-pointers and owns a career three-point percentage of 40.9%.
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That shooting could become particularly valuable alongside Antetokounmpo, whose presence can create open looks for teammates.
A chance to chase another championship
Thompson's move is also about more than finding a new team.
At 36, the four-time champion is looking for another opportunity to compete at the highest level.
The Mavericks missed the playoffs in both of Thompson's seasons with the franchise, while Miami are attempting to build a much more competitive roster following their acquisition of Antetokounmpo.
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Joining the Heat therefore gives Thompson a chance to pursue another championship rather than remain with a Dallas team undergoing a major reset.
The Splash Brother gets a new challenge
Thompson leaves Dallas with his reputation as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history firmly intact.
His career in Golden State produced four championships, five All-Star selections and some of the most memorable shooting performances in league history.
Miami will now hope the veteran can rediscover enough of that form to become an important piece around its new-look core.
The move is not officially complete until Thompson clears waivers, but the destination appears clear.
Klay Thompson is heading for South Beach — and the Heat are adding another championship-calibre name to their roster.
Fan Debate
🏀 FIRE: Is Klay Thompson the perfect shooting addition for Miami?
🔥 GOAL: Can Thompson help the Heat challenge for the NBA title?
😲 SHOCK: Did you expect Dallas to buy him out?
👍 LIKE: How many points per game do you expect from Klay in Miami?
💬 COMMENT: Can Giannis, Bam and Klay become a championship trio?
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