Miami Heat to sign Klay Thompson following Dallas Mavericks buyout

Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after agreeing a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

The 36-year-old will officially join the Eastern Conference franchise upon clearing waivers this week.

He departs Dallas after two seasons, walking away from the final year of a contract that was due to pay him $17.5m (£13.7m).

Strengthening a new-look contender

Thompson prepares to bring elite perimeter shooting to a Miami roster newly built around blockbuster acquisition Giannis Antetokounmpo and star centre Bam Adebayo.

The veteran sharpshooter averaged 12.9 points per game and shot 38.7% from beyond the arc during his recent stint in Texas.

Despite a slightly reduced scoring role, the former Golden State star recently overtook Damian Lillard to rank fourth on the NBA’s all-time list for career three-pointers made.

Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri confirmed the buyout on Friday afternoon while paying tribute to the departing guard.

“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization.”

“We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

Moving on from previous setbacks

Prior to his 2024 arrival in Dallas, the five-time All-Star spent 13 decorated seasons with the Golden State Warriors.

His highly successful tenure in San Francisco yielded four NBA championships, though it was heavily disrupted by devastating Achilles and knee injuries that sidelined him for consecutive years.

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra will hope his latest veteran addition can remain healthy and provide the crucial floor spacing required to maximise Antetokounmpo’s interior dominance.