On Friday, the Miami Heat made its second-biggest move of the offseason, welcoming veteran sharpshooting guard Klay Thompson after weeks of rumors and speculation.
“BREAKING: 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,” NBA insider Shams Charania reported on X, formerly Twitter.
Wrote Charania in another post: “Thompson and the Mavericks navigated a buyout from his $17.5 million expiring salary after the four-time NBA champion made it clear to Dallas that he wanted to play for a contender. The Heat made one of the NBA’s all-time greatest shooters their top free agent priority this summer to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo and waited nearly two months on his release.”
Thompson, 36, reached a buyout agreement with the Mavs after spending two seasons with the franchise. The five-time All-Star signed with the Mavs as a free agent in 2024 hoping to compete for a fifth NBA championship. Now in Miami, Thompson has a unique opportunity to play with one of the top players in the league in Antetokounmpo.
Miami Heat Eye Next Move After Klay Thompson Addition
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 10: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts following the Atlanta Hawks 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Heat still has two roster spots to fill. According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the 13th roster spot will be filled by Thompson and the 14th could go to veteran big man Nick Richards.
“As the Heat finalizes a deal with Klay Thompson for its 13th roster spot – a deal could be formalized as early as Sunday – work already is being done on the 14th spot, which the Heat prefers to use on a power rotation player who could log minutes at center or power forward,” Jackson reported Friday. “Veteran 6-11 center Nick Richards has emerged as a player of considerable interest to Miami, but Richards is considering several options and it’s unclear if another team has offered him more guaranteed money.”
Jackson also noted that the Heat has other big men on its list of potential targets.
“There are a couple of other unidentified centers on Miami’s radar,” Jackson reported, “and the Heat could opt to see if any big men become available before the NBA’s Aug. 29 deadline for teams to waive players but stretch their cap hits over multiple seasons.”
Richards Strongly Linked to Miami
Richards emerged as a potential Heat target after the six-year NBA veteran was seen wearing Heat gear while working out at Kaseya Center. The former 2020 second round pick spent the 2025-26 season with the Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls.
“Richards — who has been working out with Heat players at Kaseya Center while dressed in Heat gear — averaged 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 14.6 minutes in 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season.
Richards, 28,, has averaged 7.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 305 games (114 starts) over six seasons for Charlotte, Phoenix and Chicago.”
Richards to the Heat is far from a foregone conclusion, but the 28-year-old big man would give Miami a proven lob threat and a reliable backup for star center Bam Adebayo.
If signed, Richards would add to a growing list of Heat additions this offseason, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thompson.
Report: Miami Heat Target 6’10” Elite Lob Threat After Klay Thompson Signing