Klay Thompson has officially joined the Miami Heat on a two-year deal worth approximately $11.5 million after clearing waivers, bringing his elite shooting and veteran championship pedigree to South Florida as the franchise prepares for a deep postseason run.
How Klay Thompson Landed in Miami
The acquisition of the 36-year-old sharpshooter follows a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks that was executed on a Friday, concluding a turbulent two-year stint in Dallas. According to league reports, Thompson cleared waivers Sunday afternoon before swiftly finalizing terms on a contract where the second season is at the player’s option. The move gives the Heat a massive perimeter boost, pairing one of the NBA’s most prolific long-range marksmen with a radically reconfigured roster.
Heat President Pat Riley emphasized the value of adding a battle-tested veteran to the franchise’s core. “Klay is one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA,” Riley said. “A four-time battle tested World Champion who will fit perfectly into his role as an all-around player at both ends of the court.”
Roster Overhaul and Fit Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo
Thompson’s arrival highlights a busy summer of roster reconstruction for Miami. The front office aggressively re-tooled by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster trade that sent Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakučionis to Milwaukee. Miami also signed veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr., adding even more floor-spacing capability.
For Thompson, the basketball fit complements personal preferences. He has long expressed an affinity for boating and the water, making the Heat’s Biscayne Bay arena a natural geographic match. Furthermore, Thompson holds Bahamian heritage, connecting him directly to a neighboring island nation with a deeply passionate fan base.
Chasing History on the All-Time Three-Point List
Entering his 14th professional season—excluding two full years missed due to major injuries—Thompson remains a pillar of long-range shooting efficiency. He is a career 41% shooter from beyond the arc and finished last season having made at least 200 three-pointers for the 11th time in his career. To put that in perspective, the entire Miami Heat franchise has produced a player hitting 200 threes in a single season only seven times in team history.
Thompson sits at No. 4 on the NBA’s all-time list for three-pointers made. He enters the upcoming campaign just 74 conversions behind former Heat guard Ray Allen for third place all-time. His legendary run alongside Stephen Curry as part of Golden State’s “Splash Brothers” yielded four NBA championships, five All-Star nods, and a single-game league record of 14 made three-pointers.
The Fallout in Dallas and What Lies Ahead
Thompson’s departure from Dallas marks the definitive end of an experiment that unraveled following a series of dramatic roster shifts. Initially signed in a sign-and-trade with Golden State to complement Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Thompson watched those championship hopes fade when the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis prior to the 2025 trade deadline. A subsequent left knee ACL tear for Irving and the later trade of Davis to the Washington Wizards left the Mavericks scrambling to pivot.
Now in Miami, Thompson steps into a supporting cast tailored to maximize his remaining prime years alongside Antetokounmpo and center Bam Adebayo. The Heat open their training camp preparations in the coming weeks ahead of the regular-season tip-off.
Related reading
