The Miami Heat are entering the upcoming season with a significantly reshaped roster after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The blockbuster move has raised expectations around Miami as the franchise looks to build a team capable of competing in the Eastern Conference.
The Heat have also added experienced players around their new centerpiece, including Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis Jr. Miami now has to balance shooting, defense, depth and salary-cap flexibility while completing the roster.
That process has become especially important with the regular season approaching. Miami’s remaining roster decisions could determine how well its new pieces fit around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Klay Thompson Deal Could Give Miami Heat More Roster Flexibility
The Miami Heat are expected to add Klay Thompson after the veteran guard reached a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks. Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman reported that Thompson’s expected deal would be for two years and would still leave Miami with room to make additional additions.
“Yes, it will be a two-year deal, but will leave the Heat with enough wiggle room to add two other players.”
Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman said that, “Yes, it will be a two-year deal, but will leave the Heat with enough wiggle room to add two other players.”
Thompson is expected to clear the NBA’s 48-hour waiver period before joining Miami in free agency. His contract is expected to start above $6 million, with the Heat using most of what remains of their mid-level exception.
Miami previously used $6 million of its $15 million mid-level exception on Hardaway Jr. That leaves the Heat with enough flexibility to complete Thompson’s expected deal while maintaining room for further roster moves.
The financial structure is important because Miami is operating under a hard cap after the moves required to acquire Antetokounmpo.
Thompson is expected to sign a two-year, $13 million contract, with a player option for the second season.
Thompson would give Miami another elite perimeter shooter. He has made 2,899 career 3-pointers and ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time list. He also has 11 seasons with at least 200 made 3-pointers.
The 36-year-old guard averaged 11.7 points in 69 games for Dallas last season. He shot 38.3% from three-point range on 7.6 attempts per game. His career 3-point percentage stands at 40.9%.
His addition would address one of Miami’s biggest roster needs. The Heat lost Tyler Herro and Norman Powell this offseason, while adding Hardaway Jr. and Portis Jr. to support Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
Adding Thompson would solve one roster need, but it would also create an interesting challenge for Erik Spoelstra, who must determine how Miami’s new and returning pieces fit together.
Erik Spoelstra Faces Rotation Decisions With Klay Thompson Addition
Spoelstra could have several lineup combinations to consider with Thompson potentially joining Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.
Thompson could start at shooting guard, giving Miami a projected starting five with size, defense and perimeter shooting. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo would remain the team’s primary interior threats, while Wiggins and Mitchell would provide defensive support.
The bench would also have experienced options. Hardaway Jr., Portis Jr., Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith could all play important roles depending on matchups and rotation decisions.
Thompson has spent most of his career as a starter, but he appeared in 61 of his 69 games for Dallas last season as a reserve. That experience gives Spoelstra another option if Miami chooses to use him differently.
Defense will also be a consideration. Thompson is no longer the defender he was during his prime, but Miami has several players who could help cover that weakness. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Wiggins and Mitchell all bring defensive ability to the projected rotation.
The Heat will also need to add at least one more standard-contract player. Winderman noted that Thompson would become Miami’s 13th player, with the team required to reach the league minimum before the season.
For Miami, the potential Thompson deal is therefore about more than adding another shooter. The expected contract would give the Heat an accomplished perimeter scorer while preserving some flexibility for the remaining roster spots.
Report: Heat Get Major Update on Roster Flexibility After Potential Klay Thompson Deal