Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson could be on the way back to playing for a contender. The 36-year-old guard and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed to a buyout, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Thompson has not officially signed yet, but he is expected to join the Miami Heat. A report that has caused plenty of excitement around the league.
Klay Thompson’s Expected Move to the Miami Heat Causes a Frenzy
Earlier this summer, the rumor mill had it that the Mavericks were looking to trade Thompson. A deal never materialized, but both parties decided that moving on from each other was still the best option.
On Friday, it was reported that his contract was bought out. Upon clearing waivers, he is expected to join Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference.
NBA insider Shams Charania revealed the news of Thompson’s impending move to the Heat on X.
“Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN,” he wrote.
While there are other powerhouse teams in the league, some believe that the new-look Heat have what it takes to be unstoppable.
“NOBODY IS BEATING THIS TEAM IN THE EAST đŸ”¥,” a Heat-centric fan page posted.
DAVION MITCHELL
KLAY THOMPSON
ANDREW WIGGINS
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
BAM ADEBAYONOBODY IS BEATING THIS TEAM IN THE EAST đŸ”¥ https://t.co/kGNMbsx87J pic.twitter.com/7CwONDZAAu
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) August 21, 2026
“IT’S OVER FOR THE LEAGUE,” another page said.
Popular sports personality @CuffsTheLegend also believes the move dramatically shifts the league’s landscape.
“This changes everything in the East,” he posted.
this changes everything in the East https://t.co/yeZfBGjELG
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) August 21, 2026
One user echoed a popular sentiment surrounding the Heat: that they needed spacing, and this addresses that issue.
“Easy call, they need shooting,” they said.
Meanwhile, sports radio host Marc Grandi could not help but make a joke about the Golden State Warriors.
“Klay and Giannis are teammates, just like the Warriors always wanted,” he tweeted.
Klay and Giannis are teammates, just like the Warriors always wanted! https://t.co/FGXLMxFQwT
— Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) August 21, 2026
With Adebayo and Antetokounmpo headlining their roster, the Heat desperately needed to add floor spacing.
While the Greek Freak is a tremendous interior scorer, his 3-point shooting is a glaring weakness in his offensive game. Through 13 years in the league, he’s only made 28.5 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.
Adebayo isn’t much better with his shooting. Through nine seasons in the league, he’s converted on only 31.6 percent of his shots from deep.
This would have made it much easier for opposing teams to prepare for the Heat. All they had to do was load the inside to try to keep either of their two stars from getting in.
The addition of Thompson changes that, since there are now more dimensions to their offensive game.
Thompson has made over 200 3-pointers in each of the last two seasons he played for the Mavericks. He now also has a career total of 2,899 3-pointers through 13 seasons.
Despite being a volume shooter, he shoots efficiently. Throughout his career, he has shot 40.9 percent from beyond the arc, making him the perfect addition to the Heat.
