The Heat on Sunday could celebrate not only the addition of five-time All-Star guard Klay Thompson, but also the fact that the organization emerged from the transaction with more flexibility than some might have expected.
Because Thompson agreed to a first year salary of $5.6 million, that left the Heat with the ability to fill both the 14th and 15th roster spots, immediately if it chooses, without surpassing the $209 million hard cap under which it will operate this coming season.
The Heat would like to fill the 14th roster spot with a power rotation player, a source said. Former Bulls center Nick Richards, who has been working with Heat players at Kaseya Center, remains very much in play for that spot.
Miami likely will hold off on signing a 15th player to a standard contract, at least for now, in order to see who shakes free in the buyout market. If the Heat doesn’t find a veteran it wishes to sign for the 15th spot, it could allow the team’s training camp invitation players to compete for the job, with ex-Kansas wing Tre White among those who intrigue the organization.
Besides White, other players expected to sign Exhibit 10 training camp contracts with Miami include Louisville forward J’Vonne Hadley, Southern Cal forward Ezra Ausar and Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin. Those three players and White are also undrafted rookies.
Heat free agent forward Keshad Johnson also remains a possibility for a standard contract or a two-way contract. Miami has one more open two-way contract slot; guard Tre Donaldson (who was impressive in the Las Vegas Summer League) and center Vlad Goldin hold two-way contracts with the Heat and also could compete for the team’s 15th standard contract. Players on two-way contracts can appear in no more than 50 NBA games in a season.
If the Heat signs 14th and 15th players to nonguaranteed contracts, Miami would have the ability to replace them with different players on minimum deals during the course of the season.
Thompson’s deal includes a $5.88 million player option in the second season and a 15% trade kicker if he’s dealt.
“Klay is one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA,” Heat president Pat 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.
“We all talk about his shooting skill, but there is so much more he brings to the game. We are blessed that Klay chose the Heat in our quest to challenge for championships.”
After trading for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat augmented the roster around him by splitting its midlevel exception between Tim Hardaway Jr. and Thompson, acquiring Bobby Portis in the trade with Milwaukee, extending Andrew Wiggins’ contract and drafting Louisville guard Ryan Conwell.
Thompson will wear No. 11 with the Heat, a number previously worn by Sherman Douglas, Dion Waiters, Chris Quinn, John Crotty and Jaime Jaquez Jr., among others.
The Heat begins training camp on Sept. 29 and opens the regular season on Oct. 21 at home against Minnesota, a game that will be nationally televised by ESPN.
Here’s more on Thompson and a look at every mid-30s former All Star that the Heat has signed under Riley, and how each of them performed.
This story was originally published August 23, 2026 at 10:12 PM.
Miami Herald
Barry Jackson has written for the Miami Herald since 1986 and has written the Florida Sports Buzz column since 2002.