Klay Thompson, one of basketball's most celebrated perimeter shooters and a four-time champion, has found a new home in Miami after the Dallas Mavericks chose to close a difficult chapter and release him ahead of the 2026-27 season. At 36, Thompson joins a Heat franchise that has made bold moves — including the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo — signaling that South Florida is once again reaching for something greater. His journey, marked by championships, injury, and reinvention, now turns toward a city hungry to contend, where the question is not what he has been, but what he can still b
Klay Thompson to join Giannis in Miami after Mavericks buyout
one of the great players and competitors of his generation
Mark
Why does a 36-year-old shooter matter to Miami right now?
Mimi
Because the Heat just got Giannis, and they need spacing around him. Thompson can still shoot it. That's what he does.
Mark
But he averaged 12.9 points in Dallas. That's not a star anymore.
Mimi
No, but it's a role. In Miami, he's not the guy. He's the third or fourth option. That's different from what Dallas needed him to be.
Mark
The Mavericks paid him $17.5 million to leave. That's a lot of money to walk away from.
Mimi
It is. But Dallas was 26-56. They needed to reset. Thompson was part of a team that wasn't working. Sometimes you have to cut your losses.
Mark
What does this say about the Heat's championship window?
Mimi
That they think it's now. They traded for Giannis, they're adding Thompson. They're not rebuilding. They're all-in.
Der Puls
- After two underwhelming seasons in Dallas and a franchise collapse to 26-56, the Mavericks cut ties with Thompson, absorbing a financial loss to accelerate their rebuild under new coach Dusty May.
- Thompson cleared waivers without a competing offer, a quiet moment that underscored how the league's perception of the aging star has shifted since his Golden State dynasty days.
- Miami moved swiftly, signing Thompson to a two-year, nearly $13 million deal — a calculated bet that his shooting and defensive instincts can still elevate a roster already reshaped by Antetokounmpo's arrival.
- The pairing of Thompson, Antetokounmpo, and Adebayo creates a formidable perimeter-and-paint combination that positions the Heat as a genuine playoff threat heading into 2026-27.
- At 36 and with a history of serious injury, Thompson's ability to sustain meaningful contribution remains the central uncertainty shadowing Miami's championship ambitions.
Klay Thompson, one of basketball's most celebrated perimeter shooters and a four-time champion, has found a new home in Miami after the Dallas Mavericks chose to close a difficult chapter and release him ahead of the 2026-27 season. At 36, Thompson joins a Heat franchise that has made bold moves — including the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo — signaling that South Florida is once again reaching for something greater. His journey, marked by championships, injury, and reinvention, now turns toward a city hungry to contend, where the question is not what he has been, but what he can still become.
Klay Thompson's next chapter will unfold in Miami. The five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion cleared waivers after the Dallas Mavericks bought out the final year of his contract, and he quickly signed with the Heat on a two-year deal worth nearly $13 million. It is a move that speaks to both Thompson's enduring appeal and the Heat's renewed sense of purpose.
Thompson had been owed $17.5 million for the coming season in Dallas, but after two years averaging 12.9 points per game and a franchise that finished 26-56, both sides agreed it was time to part. The Mavericks, who also parted ways with coach Jason Kidd and have since hired Dusty May, are in the midst of a deliberate reset. Masai Ujiri offered a gracious farewell, calling Thompson "one of the great players and competitors of his generation."
In Miami, Thompson joins Giannis Antetokounmpo — who arrived via blockbuster trade in June — and Bam Adebayo, forming a trio that blends perimeter shooting, defensive versatility, and interior dominance. For a Heat organization that has long prided itself on culture and competition, Thompson's proven championship pedigree fits the identity they are trying to rebuild.
His career has never been without adversity. Back-to-back seasons lost to an Achilles injury tested him deeply, yet he returned. Now at 36, he arrives in South Florida carrying history and the quiet question of how much he has left — a question Miami is clearly willing to bet on.
Klay Thompson's next chapter will be written in Miami. The five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion cleared waivers Friday after the Dallas Mavericks bought out the final year of his contract, paving the way for him to sign with the Heat on a deal worth nearly $13 million over two years. At 36, Thompson is joining a franchise that has just acquired one of the league's most dominant players and is attempting to build something formidable in South Florida.
Thompson was owed $17.5 million for the 2026-27 season in Dallas, but the Mavericks and the veteran guard agreed to part ways. The move comes after two seasons in which Thompson appeared in 141 regular-season games for Dallas, averaging 12.9 points per night. His time with the Mavericks followed a 13-year tenure with the Golden State Warriors, where he established himself as one of basketball's most reliable perimeter shooters and won four championships alongside Stephen Curry.
In Miami, Thompson will join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, arrived in South Florida via a blockbuster trade in June, signaling the Heat's commitment to competing at the highest level. Thompson's arrival adds another proven threat on the wing—a player whose shooting touch and defensive versatility have been hallmarks of his career, even as he has navigated injuries and the natural decline that comes with age.
The Mavericks' decision to move on from Thompson reflects a broader reset in Dallas. The franchise finished 26-56 last season, a disappointing record that led to the departure of coach Jason Kidd after five years. The team has since hired Dusty May, who guided Michigan to the NCAA Division I national championship in April. Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks' president of basketball operations, acknowledged Thompson's contributions in a statement, calling him "one of the great players and competitors of his generation" and expressing gratitude for his time with the organization.
Thompson's career has been marked by resilience. He missed back-to-back seasons earlier in his career recovering from an Achilles injury, a setback that tested his durability and mental toughness. His move to Miami represents another chapter in a career that has already secured his place in basketball history. Whether at 36 he can still be a meaningful contributor to a Heat team with championship aspirations remains to be seen, but his arrival signals that Miami is serious about competing in the 2026-27 season.
Bemerkenswerte Zitate
Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization.— Masai Ujiri, Mavericks president of basketball operations
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