The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have reached an agreement on a contract buyout, concluding a two-year stint marked by the surprising trade of Luka Doncic.
Thompson is set to join the Miami Heat once he clears waivers, as per a source familiar with the plans of the five-time All-Star. The insider, who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that Thompson could potentially finalize his move to the Heat as early as Sunday if no other team claims him.
The decision to part ways through a buyout follows the Mavericks’ failure to make the playoffs in both of Thompson’s seasons after Doncic guided Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024.
The arrival of Thompson in a sign-and-trade deal from Golden State was seen as a significant move for the Mavericks, bringing in one of the league’s top 3-point shooters to complement Doncic and another scoring guard in Kyrie Irving.
However, the promising trio’s aspirations were shattered when the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for the injury-prone Anthony Davis just before the 2025 trade deadline. Irving suffered a season-ending ACL tear a month later and has been sidelined since then. Davis was later moved to the Washington Wizards before the trade deadline last season.
The Doncic trade had a detrimental impact on the franchise, although the Mavericks defied the odds by winning the draft lottery shortly after. With the first overall pick, they selected Duke standout freshman Cooper Flagg, who went on to win Rookie of the Year, injecting new hope into the team.
Flagg’s addition led to Thompson assuming a bench role in most games, a departure from his usual starting position since his rookie year with Golden State.
Thompson’s buyout is part of a major restructuring of the Dallas roster, leaving only five players from two years ago’s opening day lineup. The team also underwent changes in the front office, with Masai Ujiri taking over as president of basketball operations, Mike Schmitz as general manager, and Dusty May replacing Jason Kidd as head coach.
Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, spent his first 13 seasons with Golden State but missed significant time due to knee and Achilles injuries.
During his two-year stint with the Mavericks, the five-time All-Star averaged 12.9 points and shot 39% from 3-point range, with career averages of 19.6 points per game and 41% shooting from beyond the arc.
In January, Thompson surpassed Damian Lillard to claim the fourth spot on the career 3-point list with 2,899 made shots, following Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen.
Having missed the playoffs only twice in his 11 seasons with the Warriors, Thompson matched that number in his brief spell with Dallas.
Ujiri expressed gratitude for Thompson’s contributions to the Mavericks, acknowledging his talent and competitive spirit, as the team moves forward with a revamped roster and leadership.
In other NBA news, DeMar DeRozan is set to join the Denver Nuggets on a one-year deal worth $3.9 million US, providing the team with a seasoned backcourt presence and aiming to secure his first championship in his 18th season in the league. The move comes after the Nuggets traded Peyton Watson to Cleveland in a multi-team deal, acquiring DeRozan to bolster their lineup with his experience and scoring prowess.