Klay Thompson will continue his career as a member of the Miami Heat.
Following a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Heat, who also landed star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade over the offseason.
Mavericks’ Masai Ujiri Wishes Klay Thompson The Best Moving Forward
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Masai Ujiri speaks onstage at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025 at The Plaza Hotel on September 24, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bloomberg Philanthropies)
Thompson played two seasons as a member of the Mavericks, and things didn’t go quite as planned during his tenure with the team. He signed with the Mavs directly after their run to the NBA Finals in 2024, hoping to be the missing piece on a championship team. Instead, Dallas traded star guard Luka Doncic seven months later and undertook a rebuild.
Thompson wanted to contribute to a contending team at this point in his career, and now he’ll get an opportunity to do that in Miami. There aren’t necessarily any hard feelings between Thompson and the Mavericks, sometimes things just don’t work out as planned.
Following Thompson’s departure, Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri released the following statement:
“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.”
Thompson played a total of 141 games for the Mavericks and averaged 12.9 points. 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per performance.
Klay Thompson Will Provide Miami Heat With Much-Needed Floor Spacing
GettyDALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 12: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates a three point shot against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
In Miami, Thompson will provide the Heat with some much-needed floor spacing. The Heat are now a team built around two dominant paint players in Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, so they’ll need as much floor spacing as they can get around those two players.
While some parts of Thompson’s game, such as defense and athleticism, have faded with age and injury, he remains an elite shooter from long range. Thompson shot 38 percent from 3-point range last season, and he boasts a career 40 percent average from beyond the arc. Defenses simply can’t afford to leave him open on the perimeter, and that should help to open things up in a major way for Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
Mavericks’ Masai Ujiri Sends Message to Klay Thompson Following His Departure From Team