The Miami Heat are expected to sign former Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson, making this offseason for them even crazier than anyone predicted. After facing stiff competition for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and still landing him to kick off the summer, Miami also added sharpshooter Tim Hardaway. But the fun wasn’t over. ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped the bomb Friday, confirming the Heat are about to bring in the 6-foot-5 ex-Warrior after his buyout.
Thompson Wanted a Contender, Heat Wanted a Sniper
This wasn’t some quiet deal. According to Charania, Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Heat after he clears waivers from his contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson and the Mavericks worked out a buyout from his $17.5 million expiring salary because he made it crystal clear to Dallas he wanted to play for a contender. Miami made one of the NBA’s all-time greatest shooters their top free agent priority this summer, and they waited nearly two months for his release. They knew what they wanted, and they waited for it. That’s commitment right there.
Still A Sharpshooter, Perfect For Miami
Look, Thompson might be in his late 30s now, and he’s not the same perimeter defender or high-IQ scorer he once was. We all know that. But the dude is still among the league’s most consistent long-range snipers. The Washington State product averaged 11.7 points per game with the Mavericks last season, connecting on a solid 39.3% from the field and a sweet 38.3% from beyond the arc. The Heat could use all the floor-spacing wings they can get, especially when you’re trying to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Bringing in Thompson is arguably the wisest move that franchise could make right now. Getting a proven shooter like that, even in his late 30s, for what they needed? That’s just smart basketball.
Watching Thompson light it up from deep for the Heat, with Giannis drawing all that attention, is going to be amazing. Miami is absolutely loading up for the 2026-27 season, and fans should be absolutely buzzing about this move.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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