The Miami Heat are chasing after the best player left in NBA free agency. But like the rest of the basketball world, they’re still waiting on LeBron James’ decision.
Until then, the Heat can’t just freeze. They still need to prepare for all scenarios, whether James returns to South Beach for another season or signs elsewhere. But that’s nothing new for this experienced organization.
Heat Interested in Klay Thompson, but Only if He Hits the Buyout Market
While the Heat are always evaluating ways to improve their roster, the offseason presents the best opportunity to make moves. Most of the top free agents already have deals in place, but this is the best time to execute trades, too.
One player whom the Heat have frequently been linked to amid the James free-agency sweepstakes is Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Klay Thompson. He’s entering the final season of a three-year, $50 million contract.
Yet one NBA insider, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, suggests Miami’s interest in Thompson is contingent on his successfully navigating a buyout from his current deal. In other words, unless the four-time NBA champion hits the open market as a free agent, they won’t be adding him this offseason.
“The Heat have been eyeing Klay Thompson. I have been told that this scenario would only be in the event that Dallas came to a buyout agreement for Thompson,” Fischer said Tuesday on a Bleacher Report livestream.
REPORT: The Miami Heat only have interest in Klay Thompson is he is bought out, per @JakeLFischer
“I have been told that this scenario would only be in the event that Dallas came to a buyout agreement for Klay Thompson.”
Jake says as of now he hasn’t heard that a buyout is in… https://t.co/BtbL7xUyLU pic.twitter.com/oSQy3YqCIB
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 14, 2026
MORE: ‘You Was Always Outside of Heat Culture’ — Miami Legend Blasts Tyler Herro After Bam Adebayo Fallout
The insider added that he hasn’t heard any intel suggesting that Dallas is considering a buyout for Thompson. The 36-year-old is owed $17.5 million in the 2026-27 season, and Fischer “would be surprised” if Thompson opted to “give up” his lucrative earnings.
However, Fischer added that anything is possible, and if somehow, through back-channels, Thompson discovers he could have a role on a Heat team that also features James, perhaps those buyout talks become more serious.
Meanwhile, Fischer also noted that the idea of returning to South Beach for a Heat reunion may be tugging at James’ heartstrings.
“There is some appeal, I believe, in going back to Miami and reuniting there with the Heat and making up for that kind of sour exit,” Fischer said.
“There is some appeal I believe in going back to Miami and reuniting there with the Heat and making up for that kind of sour exit”
— @JakeLFischer on LeBron to Miami pic.twitter.com/rfv8DZYmIV
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 14, 2026
The idea of not just adding James but also potentially Thompson has to be music to the ears of Heat fans. They may be just what a core led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo needs to win a championship.
