Heat reportedly outbid Lakers for $298M generational shooter, ex-Warriors future Hall of Famer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat have endured plenty of disappointment throughout free agency, missing out on nearly every major target they pursued. For the past month, Miami had been hoping it could land Klay Thompson.
It was a strange situation, as the Dallas Mavericks were unsure of what to do with the veteran guard. Thompson had multiple potential landing spots, with Miami emerging as one of the most logical destinations.
“My understanding is that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home. The Miami Heat are another team frequently mentioned in NBA circles as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer," The Athletic's Christian Clark wrote.
Finally, on Friday afternoon, Thompson and the Mavericks agreed to a contract buyout, allowing him to choose where he wanted to continue his career.
“Thompson, 36, was due to make $17.5 million in the final season of his contract with the Mavericks, who announced his buyout Friday afternoon. He played two seasons for the Mavericks, averaging 12.9 points per game and shooting 38.7% from 3-point range. Thompson passed Damian Lillard last season to rank fourth in career 3-pointers made,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.
Not long after the buyout became official, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Heat were expected to sign Thompson once he cleared waivers.
“Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.
The Heat finally appear to have found the missing piece to their puzzle. Miami desperately needed another elite shooter after missing out on Bradley Beal, and Thompson gives the team exactly what it was looking for. In the process, Miami beat out the Los Angeles Lakers to secure the four-time NBA champion.
Thompson has earned $298 million in contracts throughout his career and now joins a Miami team that could be much more dangerous in the Eastern Conference. After a disappointing free-agency period, the Heat finally made a major move that could significantly change their outlook for the upcoming season.
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