The Miami Heat have emerged as a serious suitor for Dallas Mavericks veteran Klay Thompson, according to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Multiple sources told the newspaper that Miami has strong interest in acquiring the five-time All-Star regardless of whether LeBron James ultimately joins the franchise.
The Heat’s pursuit comes after an aggressive offseason centered around landing Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Miami has since focused on surrounding its new superstar duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with experienced shooting, making Thompson a logical target despite the uncertainty surrounding his availability.
Thompson, 36, is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed with Dallas and is owed $17.5 million in 2026-27. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are currently exploring the trade market rather than pursuing a contract buyout, a route that would require Dallas to absorb a financial loss without receiving assets in return.
That stance complicates Miami’s pursuit. The Heat have limited financial flexibility after completing the blockbuster Antetokounmpo trade, leaving a buyout followed by a mid-level exception signing as perhaps the cleanest path if Thompson becomes available. Miami has approximately $7 million available through its mid-level exception, though those funds could also be needed if LeBron James chooses South Beach unless the four-time MVP accepts a veteran minimum contract.
A trade appears more difficult. Jackson and Chiang noted that one theoretical framework would involve Miami sending Nikola Jovic to Dallas for Thompson’s expiring contract, but the Mavericks would have little incentive to absorb Jovic’s newly signed four-year, $62 million extension. With Dallas finishing 26-56 last season while remaining well below the luxury tax threshold, there is no pressing financial reason to move Thompson unless the return improves the roster.
Even after an injury-filled second half of his career, Thompson remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished perimeter shooters. The four-time champion ranks fourth all-time in made three-pointers and owns a career 40.9 percent mark from beyond the arc across 934 regular-season games.
His production has declined in Dallas, however. Thompson averaged 11.7 points in 69 games during the 2025-26 season while shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three in 21.7 minutes per game. Those numbers followed a 14.0-point campaign in 2024-25, when he connected on 39.1 percent of his three-point attempts.
Despite the offensive decline, Miami values the combination of floor spacing, championship experience and defensive versatility Thompson can still provide. At 6-foot-5, he would add size to the wing rotation while addressing a perimeter shooting need that became more significant after Norman Powell departed in free agency for the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat finished 43-39 last season before reshaping their roster around Antetokounmpo. They re-signed Andrew Wiggins, added veteran shooter Tim Hardaway Jr., retained Simone Fontecchio and completed one of the summer’s biggest trades, but they continue searching for additional shooting to complement Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
