Klay Thompson. Image via: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Klay Thompson agreed to join the Miami Heat on August 21, 2026, after a Dallas Mavericks buyout. The 36-year-old five-time All-Star is expected to sign a two-year, nearly $13 million contract with a player option in Year 2. Thompson averaged 11.7 points and shot 38.3% from three in 2025-26. He now joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in Miami.For Miami, the move is about more than adding another veteran name. The Heat have built a frontcourt around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, two players who can command defensive attention near the basket. Thompson gives that lineup a proven perimeter threat who can operate without dominating the ball.CategoryDetailsPlayerKlay ThompsonCurrent TeamDallas MavericksContract StatusBuyout, then two-year deal with MiamiSalary Cap HitNearly $13 million over two yearsLatest Insider UpdateExpected to sign after clearing waivers
Why did Klay Thompson join the Miami Heat?
Klay Thompson and Dallas agreed to a buyout on August 21, ending his two-year run with the Mavericks. He was owed $17.5 million for 2026-27, but the 36-year-old wanted an opportunity to play for a contender. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Thompson would head to Miami after clearing waivers.The numbers explain why Miami wanted him. Thompson averaged 11.7 points last season while shooting 38.3% from three. Across his two seasons in Dallas, he averaged 12.9 points and shot 38.7% from deep. He has also been fourth on the NBA’s all-time three-point list, with 2,899 made entering this move.
How does Klay Thompson’s contract look?
The Heat are expected to give Thompson a two-year contract worth nearly $13 million, with a player option for the second season. It represents a major reduction from the $17.5 million salary he was scheduled to receive from Dallas next season.The structure also gives Thompson another chance to control his future after an uneven Dallas tenure. Miami, meanwhile, gets an experienced shooter without committing to a long-term deal.
Can Klay Thompson complete Miami’s Giannis-Bam trio?
Thompson’s fit starts with spacing. Giannis and Adebayo can create pressure inside, while Thompson can punish defenses that collapse toward the paint. Miami also has Andrew Wiggins and Tim Hardaway Jr., adding more veteran wing depth around its new core.There is a clear defensive tradeoff. Thompson is no longer the perimeter stopper he was during Golden State’s championship years, and his athleticism has declined after major injuries. Miami will need its interior defense, led by Giannis and Adebayo, to absorb some of that burden.The immediate challenge is making the pieces function together. Thompson has already accepted a reduced role in Dallas, starting only eight of 69 games last season. In Miami, his value may depend less on his scoring volume than on how consistently his shooting creates room for the Heat’s two stars.Thompson’s Miami chapter now begins with a clear assignment: space the floor, embrace his role and help Giannis and Adebayo push the Heat toward another championship run.