![\"Klay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2265349335.jpg\" "\\"Klay")
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Klay Thompson #31 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts following the Atlanta Hawks 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on March 10, 2026 in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
Todd Kirkland<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days.<\/p>\n
The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said.<\/p>\n
Thompson, 36, would fill the Heat\u2019s need for another shooter and a player with size (6-5), length and defensive chops, though his defense isn\u2019t at the level as it was during the 2018-19 season, when he was named to the NBA\u2019s All-Defensive Second Team.<\/p>\n
The question is whether Thompson will shake free from the Mavericks, either through a buyout or trade.<\/p>\n
The Mavericks, well below the luxury tax line, have no particular financial incentive to dump Thompson \u2014 who\u2019s owed $17.5 million in the final year of a three-year contract \u2014 unless he\u2019s willing to take a significant pay cut on a buyout.<\/p>\n
If Thompson decides he wants to play for the Heat, he could accept a modest buyout from the Mavericks and make up a significant part of the money by taking $7 million available from Miami\u2019s midlevel exception. (It\u2019s possible that $7 million could go to James if he chooses the Heat \u2014 unless James takes the veteran\u2019s minimum.)<\/p>\n
NBA insider Marc Stein reported last week the Mavericks are actively exploring the trade market for Thompson instead of pursuing a contract buyout.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo this point as much has been relayed to me is the Mavs preference would be a trade,\u201d Stein said. \u201cI think it\u2019s still early enough in the summer that if you\u2019re the Mavs you would exhaust those options first.\u201d<\/p>\n
So any chance of landing Thompson would require the Mavericks\u2019 cooperation (if it\u2019s a trade) or more likely, a financial sacrifice by Thompson, if it\u2019s a buyout.<\/p>\n
The only trade scenario that would make sense, from the Heat\u2019s standpoint, would be if Miami could dump Nikola Jovic\u2019s contract on Dallas in exchange for Thompson\u2019s expiring contract. But it would be surprising if the Mavericks had interest in Jovic\u2019s deal, with his four-year, $62 million extension kicking in this season.<\/p>\n
Though Thompson is no longer playing at an All-Star level, he was productive for Dallas last season. He averaged 11.7 points in 69 games and eight starts while shooting 39.3% from the field and 38.3% on 7.6 three-pointers per game last regular season.<\/p>\n
Thompson averaged 14 points while shooting 39.1% on 7.7 three-point attempts per game across 72 appearances (72 starts) for the Mavericks during the 2024-25 regular season.<\/p>\n
Thompson is fourth on the NBA\u2019s all-time three-point list with 2,899 made threes, trailing only Stephen Curry (4,248), James Harden (3,390) and Ray Allen (2,973).<\/p>\n
Thompson\u2019s career 40.9% three-point shooting is ninth among active players and 25th all time.<\/p>\n
Thompson\u2019s father, Mychal, led Miami Jackson High to the 4A state championship in 1974 and later played for the Pat Riley-coached Los Angeles Lakers in the late 1980s.<\/p>\n
Because his father was born in the Bahamas, Klay Thompson frequently travels to the Caribbean during the summer to train, boat, and connect with his Bahamian heritage.<\/p>\n
Per a source, the Heat would like to add another scoring wing player with size to supplement Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., second-round pick Ryan Conwell and third-year player Pelle Larsson.<\/p>\n
The Heat had a preliminary discussion with the representation for free agent Bradley Beal but hasn\u2019t pursued him vigorously. Miami and other teams pursuing James are in a holding pattern with free agent wing Demar DeRozan, who would become a real possibility for the Heat if James signs elsewhere.<\/p>\n
The New York Post\u2019s Stefan Bondy reported Sunday that free agent guard Russell Westbrook is a possibility for the Heat if Miami doesn\u2019t sign James. While nothing can be ruled out, the Heat has not been aggressively pursuing the nine-time NBA All-Star, who averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 58 starts for the Sacramento Kings last season.<\/p>\n
This and that<\/p>\n
\u25aa Though agent Rich Paul said Friday that there\u2019s no timetable on a decision from James, ESPN\u2019s NBA insider Shams Charania said Monday afternoon that \u201cit\u2019s decision time\u201d for James and \u201call the information is in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charania identified the Cleveland Cavaliers, Heat, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves as the primary suitors.<\/p>\n
Another sign that James\u2019 free agent decision could be coming soon? He\u2019s scheduled to appear on two live shows this week.<\/p>\n
During Fanatics Fest NYC at the Javits Center in New York, James will join Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton on \u201cMind the Game Live\u201d starting Thursday at 1:15 p.m. James will also be on \u201cThe Shop Live\u201d with longtime business partner Maverick Carter and tennis star Novak Djokovic starting Friday at noon.<\/p>\n
\u25aa The Heat has until 11:59 p.m. to rescind the two-way qualifying offer for center Vlad Goldin, who has started four of the Heat\u2019s five summer league. As of 4 p.m. EST on Monday, the offer had not been rescinded.<\/p>\n
\u25aa WPLG 10 will have live coverage of Giannis Antetokounmpo\u2019s introductory Heat news conference at 3 p.m. Thursday from Kaseya Center. The Heat says its YouTube page also will air the news conference. There is no public introductory session for fans.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM.<\/p>\n
Related Stories from Miami Herald<\/p>\n
Barry Jackson<\/a><\/p>\n Miami Herald<\/p>\n Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.\n <\/p>\n
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