Klay Thompson Set to Join Miami Heat After Mavericks Buyout Agreement
The Dallas Mavericks announced on Friday that they reached a buyout agreement with Klay Thompson, making him a late addition to the free agent market. Shortly after the announcement, ESPN reported that Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat on a two-year, $13 million deal with a player option in the second year once he clears waivers. This move provides much-needed shooting support for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on the revamped Heat roster. Thompson, 36, previously signed with the Mavericks in 2024, playing 141 games and averaging 12.9 points on shooting splits of 40.3/38.7/85.1 over two seasons. As the Mavericks shift toward a youth movement led by reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, they decided to buy out Thompson to allow him to join a contender ahead of training camp. Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri expressed gratitude towards Thompson, stating, "Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation... we wish him nothing but the best moving forward." Thompson's interest in the Heat became clear almost immediately after the buyout news broke. Although he may not be the two-way player he once was, his shooting ability is crucial for Miami, especially after trading Tyler Herro to Milwaukee and losing Norman Powell in free agency. With hard cap restrictions in place, the Heat aimed to reinforce their roster around Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, initially targeting LeBron James before pivoting to secure Thompson, a four-time NBA champion. Joining a wing rotation that includes Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dru Smith, Thompson is expected to play a significant role as Miami seeks to return to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Despite a dip in efficiency post-injuries, Thompson has maintained a 39.3% shooting rate from three on 8.8 attempts per game over the past five seasons.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-08-21