The Miami Heat are reportedly expressing interest in acquiring Klay Thompson, as the Dallas Mavericks are believed to be exploring options to move on from the four-time champion. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks are considering a trade or buyout for the 36-year-old guard.
The Heat, who have focused on building a frontcourt with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, are looking to add perimeter shooting to create better spacing for their offense. Thompson, known for his all-time shooting ability, could fit that need.
Stein indicated that Dallas's preference would be to find a trade partner for Thompson. "I think it’s still early enough in the summer that if you’re the Mavs, you would exhaust those options first," he stated on a Bleacher Report stream.
Thompson's tenure with the Golden State Warriors concluded after 13 seasons, during which he won four championships and earned five All-Star selections. He previously missed two full seasons due to injuries.
Last season marked a career-low for Thompson, who came off the bench for the first time since his rookie year. He posted career lows in field goal percentage at 39.3% and three-point percentage at 38.3%, averaging 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He is set to earn $17.5 million in the final year of his contract.