For over a month, the most frequently linked players to the Miami Heat were Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan.
Thompson, 36, is set to join the Heat on a two-year, $13 million deal, according to NBA insider Shams Charania, giving the Heat the sharpshooter it has been targeting. Meanwhile, DeRozan is on his way to the Denver Nuggets after reportedly agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million contract.
Although DeRozan was initially considered the Heat’s top free agent target after LeBron James, the franchise prioritized Thompson.
Why Miami Heat Said No to DeMar DeRozan
GettySACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 21: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings sits on the bench before their game against the Toronto Raptors at Golden 1 Center on January 21, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Heat insider Ethan Skolnick revealed why the Heat never seriously considered signing DeRozan, who was waived in early July by the Sacramento Kings.
“I’ve been saying that although the Heat like DeMar and they have flirted with DeMar many times over the years, they didn’t think that there was a role for him now that would make sense to him at this point that he would be happy with. That was the primary reason I heard why they were not more aggressive.
Skolnick reported that the Heat’s plan was to prioritize 3-point shooting on the roster after the team’s pursuit of LeBron James fell short.
“As weeks were going (by) and he was out there and even after the LeBron thing fell apart — which the Heat thought they were getting LeBron — even after that they didn’t go sign DeMar right away because their thing was we’ve got (Andrew) Wiggins, we’ve (Pelle) Larson, we’ve got Tim Hardaway Jr. and we’re probably gonna get a shooter from Dallas.”
According to the Miami Herald, team president Pat Riley was fixated on furnishing the Heat roster with more shooting.
“Heat president Pat Riley has told people in recent weeks that shooting is the team’s top priority, because the team wants to space the floor around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo,” the report stated. “Miami is now adding the most accomplished one on the market in Thompson, who is fourth on the NBA’s all-time three-point list with 2,899 made threes, trailing only Stephen Curry (4,248), James Harden (3,390) and Ray Allen (2,973).”
Miami Believed it Would Land Klay All Along
Had the Heat not felt so confident about landing Thompson, perhaps it would have strongly pursued DeRozan. According to the Athletic, the Heat believed Thompson was Miami bound.
“A source has told The Miami Herald for weeks that there was mutual interest between the parties,” the report said. “And a deal is now expected, after Thompson informed the Mavericks that he wants to play for a contender and Dallas agreed to a buyout. Inside the Heat, there has been optimism that Thompson would end up with the team, which is among the reasons that Miami has bypassed Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan in free agency.”
Thompson, one of the greatest shooters in league history, is the Heat’s latest roster addition and the latest on the list of shooters the Heat has landed this offseason.
Miami received Bobby Portis in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and signed Hardaway Jr. and Thompson in free agency.
Report: Miami Heat’s Reason for Rejecting DeMar DeRozan Revealed