Klay Thompson Reaches Buyout with Mavericks, Expected to Join Heat for Fifth Title Run

With one year and $17.5 million left on his contract, Klay Thompson made his stance clear to the front office: what he wants isn't to ride out his salary, but a real shot at a championship. As a result, the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a buyout, and once the waiver process is finalized, Klay will become an unrestricted free agent.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Miami Heat are expected to finalize a deal with Klay once he clears waivers. The team has held steady for nearly two months waiting for this legendary shooter, treating him as their top free-agent target of the summer. If everything goes as planned, Klay will join forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, spacing the floor for the Heat's interior attack.

Klay spent thirteen seasons with the Golden State Warriors, winning four championships alongside the core trio of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, before leaving the Bay Area for the Mavericks in the summer of 2024. Now, with the Mavericks' roster direction shifting, Klay—already in the later stage of his career—has chosen not to stick around and wait things out, instead prioritizing a chance at another title and ending his tenure with the team early.

The buyout has been finalized, with only the waiver process left to complete. For the Heat, the two-month wait has paid off with a sharpshooter who still poses a real perimeter threat—and who brings four championship rings to the table.