Klay Thompson Joins Miami Heat on $13M Deal to Pair With Giannis Antetokounmpo

Klay Thompson signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Miami Heat on Sunday after clearing waivers following his buyout from Dallas.

Klay Thompson officially joined the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon, signing a two-year, $13 million contract immediately after clearing waivers. The veteran sharpshooter, who ranks No. 4 on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers made list, secured a deal that includes a player option for the second season. This move follows a Friday report by ESPN’s Shams Charania and marks a significant roster overhaul for Miami, who recently acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks. To facilitate those additions, the Heat traded Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakučionis to Milwaukee.

Thompson enters his 14th active NBA season as a career 41% shooter from three-point range. Last season, he surpassed the 200-made 3-pointer threshold for the 11th time in his career. This statistic stands in stark contrast to the Heat franchise history, where a player has reached the 200-triple mark only seven times total. The 36-year-old currently sits at 2,488 career makes, placing him just 74 successful attempts behind former Heat guard Ray Allen for third place on the league's all-time leaderboard.

Championship Pedigree and Roster Fit

Heat President Pat Riley described the acquisition as a vital step in the team's quest for championships, calling the four-time World Champion a "battle tested" addition. Thompson is expected to provide floor spacing for a frontcourt featuring Antetokounmpo and incumbent center Bam Adebayo. Beyond his scoring, Thompson holds the NBA record for the most 3-pointers in a single game with 14 and has recorded at least 10 triples in a game on nine separate occasions.

The five-time All-Star brings a winning history rooted in his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, where he formed the "Splash Brothers" duo with Stephen Curry. His arrival in Miami coincides with the signing of Tim Hardaway Jr., another perimeter threat who returns to the city where his father played. Riley emphasized that Thompson’s role will extend to both ends of the court, citing his reputation as an all-around player.

Departure from Dallas and Roster Shifts

Thompson’s move to Miami follows a turbulent two-year stint with the Dallas Mavericks that ended in a contract buyout executed this past Friday. His time in Dallas began via a sign-and-trade from Golden State, intended to create a high-scoring trio alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, the Mavericks' plans shifted drastically when the organization traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis prior to the 2025 trade deadline.

Further complications arose for the Mavericks when Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee one month after the Doncic trade; Irving has not returned to play since the injury. Anthony Davis, the primary return in the Doncic deal, was subsequently traded by Dallas to the Washington Wizards just before the February trade deadline last season. These personnel shifts led to the eventual buyout of Thompson's contract, allowing him to seek a new destination.

Personal Ties to the Region

Geography and heritage played a role in Thompson's decision to sign with the Heat. The guard is of Bahamian heritage, and the island nation maintains a significant Heat fan base located a short flight from South Florida. Additionally, Thompson has frequently expressed his affinity for boating and the water. The Heat play their home games at an arena situated on the edge of Biscayne Bay, aligning with the veteran’s off-court interests.

As the 2026-27 season approaches, Thompson will look to integrate into a Miami lineup that has been completely reworked through the acquisitions of Antetokounmpo, Portis, and Hardaway Jr. The Heat waited weeks for the opportunity to add Thompson's shooting to their rotation, finalizing the paperwork at 8:20 PM ET on August 23, 2026.