As LeBron James nears his league-altering free-agency decision, the Miami Heat remain firmly in the running to land the 22-time NBA All-Star.
While pursuing a reunion with James remains Miami’s top priority, the franchise is reportedly zeroing in on another big name as it seeks to fill out its new-look roster around superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Heat Registering ‘Strong Interest’ in Mavericks’ Klay Thompson Amid LeBron James Pursuit
According to NBA insider Shams Charania’s Monday intel, after two weeks of deliberations, James is “inching closer” to deciding on his next team, with Miami among five suitors, alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Discussing a LeBron James decision inching closer for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/cin2LRhZii
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 13, 2026
Nabbing the versatile future Hall of Famer on the open market would be an undeniable success. Still, the Heat have other needs to address, most notably adding outside shooting to complement star center Bam Adebayo and their newly acquired franchise cornerstone, Antetokounmpo.
Miami already brought in veteran sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. on a one-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason to shore up its overhauled rotation. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang, Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Klay Thompson could be the next 3-point marksman headed to South Beach.
“Klay Thompson, a five-time All-Star and the fourth-most prolific 3-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days,” Jackson and Chiang wrote Monday.
The Miami insiders added that Thompson’s fate is not directly tied to “whether James joins the Heat or not.”
The Heat have interest in adding Klay Thompson “whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not”, per @flasportsbuzz.
(via @Anthony_Chiang) pic.twitter.com/AzMUb3vXHS
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 13, 2026
Thompson is approaching the final season of the three-year, $50 million contract he signed in the 2024 offseason when he departed the Golden State Warriors. While widely regarded as one of the greatest long-distance shooters in league history, the four-time NBA champion has experienced a sizable dip in both production and efficiency with the Mavericks and is coming off a career-worst season.
Across 69 outings in the 2025-26 campaign, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.9 3-pointers per game, shooting just 39.3% overall. His 3-point percentage also declined to 38.3%, well below his career average (40.9%).
As such, speculation has emerged about Thompson possibly getting bought out by Dallas, which is in the early stages of a rebuild centered around 2025 No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg.
However, per NBA insider Marc Stein’s Monday night report, “the Mavericks, league sources say, continue to explore Klay Thompson’s trade market, showing little interest — to this point — in buying out” his remaining $17.5 million contract.
Stein added that if Thompson unexpectedly becomes a free agent, there would “surely be other suitors” lining up for his services.
Regardless, Thompson’s catch-and-shoot ability would likely be a welcome addition to Miami’s interior-centric roster, with James’ potential arrival as a Swiss Army knife playmaker likely only making his life easier.
