Klay Thompson’s whirlwind offseason has ended in South Beach. After being waived by the Dallas Mavericks via buyout, the five-time champion has signed a two-year, $11.48 million deal with the Miami Heat that includes a player option for 2027-28.
From Dallas to Miami
Thompson’s stint in Dallas never fully clicked, and the buyout gave both sides a clean break. Miami, always eager for proven shooters with championship pedigree, pounced almost immediately. The fit on paper is obvious: a Heat culture built on discipline and spacing, paired with one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.
What Miami Is Betting On
- Elite catch-and-shoot gravity to open driving lanes for younger guards
- Playoff experience and a five-time champion’s pedigree in the locker room
- A relatively affordable contract given his track record
It’s the kind of value swing Miami has made before, and it echoes the approach Denver took in scooping up a bargain veteran in the DeMar DeRozan signing. Both moves reflect a league where aging stars are increasingly willing to trade max money for a real shot at contending.
Reunion Tour or Real Contender?
Skeptics will point to Thompson’s inconsistency in recent seasons and question whether he still has enough burst to defend at a playoff level. Believers will note that shooting, more than athleticism, is what ages best — and few shooters in league history compare to Thompson at his peak.
Curious how Golden State’s own roster shook out after his departure? Read our breakdown of Draymond Green’s return to the Warriors.
The Bottom Line
Miami didn’t overpay, and that’s precisely the point. If Thompson finds his rhythm again, this could be one of the shrewdest low-risk signings of the summer.