The Miami Heat are still hunting for ways to add talent after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Klay Thompson has surfaced as one name worth watching. But there’s a big catch: Miami’s interest only really comes into play if Thompson becomes available through a buyout.
NBA insider Jake Fischer laid out that scenario on Bleacher Report live, making it clear the Heat wouldn’t be lining up for a trade. “This scenario would only be in the event that Dallas came to a buyout agreement for Klay Thompson, for he is in the final year of a three-year contract he signed… I think there would be a lot of teams in addition to Miami that would be interested in Klay Thompson if he were to find a buyout market, but I don't think anyone is really so interested in trading for Klay Thompson at that salary number at this point in time,” Fischer said.
REPORT: The Miami Heat only have interest in Klay Thompson is he is bought out, per @JakeLFischer
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 14, 2026
“I have been told that this scenario would only be in the event that Dallas came to a buyout agreement for Klay Thompson.”
Jake says as of now he hasn’t heard that a buyout is in… https://t.co/BtbL7xUyLU pic.twitter.com/oSQy3YqCIB
For now, Dallas doesn’t appear eager to move on from Thompson, though that could shift as the offseason unfolds. The Mavericks have him under contract for the final year of that three-year deal, and right now the expectation is that he stays put.
Thompson’s value is easy to understand. He finished last season with the Mavericks averaging 11.7 points per game while shooting 38.3% from 3-point range. That kind of shooting still plays anywhere, and it’s exactly the sort of skill set that would appeal to a team like Miami.
If Antetokounmpo is drawing the defense’s attention, that opens up space for shooters to feast. Thompson fits that kind of setup cleanly. Still, unless Dallas changes course and agrees to a buyout, he looks set to remain with the Mavericks as they continue building around a young roster.
In Other News...
Mavericks Fans Suddenly Have Reason To Worry About Morez Johnson Jr
Morez Johnson Jr. gave Mavericks fans something to latch onto with a strong Summer League debut, the kind of early showing that can quickly build momentum for a young player trying to carve out a role. But the forward has been out of recent action after missing a Summer League game and practice, leaving Dallas with a little more caution than it likely wanted this early in the exhibition slate.
The concern now is less about what Johnson showed and more about when he can get back on the floor. He has been listed day to day, and his availability for the next stretch of Summer League games is still up in the air, which makes every missed session feel a little more significant for a team hoping to keep evaluating its young talent. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks May Have A Risky Klay Path To A Better Flagg Fit
The Mavericks are still working through ways to reshape the roster around Cooper Flagg, and one of the more intriguing paths involves Klay Thompsons expiring contract. Dallas has the kind of financial flexibility that can make a sign-and-trade possible, and the front office is at least exploring whether a package built around Thompson and draft capital could open a door to a younger, more athletic fit on the wing.
Denver would have to be willing to engage, and that is where the idea gets tricky. The Nuggets would be weighing their own future flexibility against the value of taking on Thompson, while Dallas has to decide how far it wants to push its assets for a move that is still very much in the speculative stage. For now, it is the sort of trade concept that makes sense on paper for the Mavericks, even if the final answer may depend on whether the other side sees enough reason to play along. [Read more 🡒]