The wait is over. Klay Thompson has already made his decision, and it didn't take long after parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks.
On Friday afternoon, NBA insiders confirmed that Thompson and the Mavericks agreed to a buyout on his three-year, $50 million deal. The franchise was ready to move on from the All-Star swingman, and Thompson was quick to find his next landing spot.
“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization,” said Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri. “We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
So where is Thompson headed? According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the future Hall of Famer is expected to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers. The Heat have been on the hunt for a shooter ever since they landed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Thompson may not be the elite player he once was, but he still brings value. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points per game while knocking down 38.3% of his three-point attempts. That’s exactly the kind of floor-spacing presence Miami needs alongside Antetokounmpo.
Miami’s front office has made it clear that durability is a top priority when adding pieces around their superstar. “That’s the first thing I look at,” Heat president Pat Riley said earlier this offseason. “That’s why I love Bam [Adebayo]. You can count on him every night. Looking at [a player’s] injury history and all of that stuff comes into play. You look at guys that don’t have injury histories. That comes into account.”
Thompson’s recent track record is solid. He’s appeared in 934 games since entering the league in 2011, and over the last two seasons alone, he’s logged 141 games. For an aging guard, that’s a pretty healthy résumé.
The move also adds another chapter to the Mavericks' recent roster shakeup, which has seen plenty of turnover in the front office and coaching staff. Meanwhile, Miami continues to build a contender around Antetokounmpo, and Thompson’s shooting should fit right in.
Thompson’s arrival in South Beach could also shift the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. With the Heat already boasting a strong core, adding a proven veteran with championship pedigree might be the missing piece. As the Knicks' playoff push and other East contenders heat up, Miami is clearly making moves to stay ahead.
It’s a fresh start for Thompson, who will look to prove he still has plenty left in the tank. Heat fans should be excited about what he brings to the floor.
