The Miami Heat moved one step closer to a complete offseason after welcoming Klay Thompson on Friday.
Thompson, 36, has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract, according to ESPN, and his deal will become official once he clears waivers.
With the Heat adding Thompson, the question has shifted to whether the two-time All-NBA performer will be inserted into the starting lineup alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Thompson had been a starter his entire career until last season with the Dallas Mavericks.
How Miami Heat Head Coach Will Decide Klay Thompson’s Role
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 12: Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks warms up before their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on November 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California. This is Thompson’s first game back at Golden State after being traded from the Warriors at the end of last year. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Thompson is one of three candidates coach Erik Spoelstra will consider as the starting shooting guard.
“Coach Erik Spoelstra will choose among Thompson, newcomer Tim Hardaway Jr. and Pelle Larsson for the Heat’s starting shooting guard job,” the report stated. “Thompson would seem the strong front-runner, but will play a lot whether he starts or comes off the bench.”
Larson, 25, started 54 games for the Heat last season, and he averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49.6 percent from the floor.
Hardaway, who was signed to a one-year contract this offseason, is coming off his lone year with the Denver Nuggets. In 80 appearances, the veteran wingman registered 13.5 points per game and nearly 41 percent from the 3-point line and positioned himself in the race for the Sixth Man of the Year award.
For the Mavs last season, Thompson tallied 11.7 points per game and cashed 38 percent of his 3-point attempts.
If the Heat aims to surround Antetokounmpo and Adebayo with the best shooting, the decision could come down to Hardaway and Thompson.
Miami Expected to Start Klay
Sun Sentinel Heat reporter Ira Winderman believes Thompson will be the team’s starting shooting guard next season.
“I would start Klay Thompson, believe the Heat will start Klay, and believe that played into Klay’s interest in the Heat,” Winderman wrote in a subscriber-only Q&A. “In fact, among the reasons that DeMar DeRozan turned away from the Heat might have been the writing on the wall that Klay would take that final Heat starting spot. The greater issue with Klay is whether he will play as a closer. In that regard, figure on a bunch of offense-defense maneuvering, with Klay on the court late when the Heat are playing from behind, but perhaps Pelle Larsson the closer when a defender is needed at shooting guard.”
Thompson can thrive as the Heat’s starting shooting guard given the team’s naturally defensive-slanted lineup. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell individually represent some of the league’s best defenders. As a unit, they could make the Heat’s defense the best in the NBA next season.
In his prime, Thompson was an elite two-way player, arguably among the top five in the league. At 36 and after two major injuries, Thompson is simply not the on-ball defender he was years ago.
But the Heat didn’t bring him in for defense. Thompson was sought after for his shooting, and even that part of his game isn’t as lethal as it once was.
Will Miami Heat Start Klay Thompson? Erik Spoelstra’s Plan Revealed by Insider