DeMar DeRozan’s path out of Miami appears to have been shaped by one major piece of the Heat’s offseason plan: Klay Thompson.
According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, Miami is expected to start Thompson, and that was a significant factor in DeRozan’s decision to look elsewhere. Winderman wrote, “I would start Klay Thompson, believe the Heat will start Klay, and believe that played into Klay’s interest in the Heat.
In fact, among the reasons that DeMar DeRozan turned away from the Heat might have been the writing on the wall that Klay would take that final Heat starting spot. The greater issue with Klay is whether he will play as a closer.”
He added, “In that regard, figure on a bunch of offense-defense maneuvering, with Klay on the court late when the Heat are playing from behind, but perhaps Pelle Larsson the closer when a defender is needed at shooting guard.”
That kind of roster logic helps explain why DeRozan, who just finished a productive season with the Sacramento Kings, didn’t wind up in Miami. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 49.7% from the field in 78 appearances. Even now, he still brings starter-level scoring and late-game shot creation.
After being bought out by the Kings, DeRozan eventually agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Denver Nuggets.
Miami, though, was clearly chasing a different fit. The Heat reportedly wanted more shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and Thompson checked that box in a way DeRozan simply didn’t. Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 39.3% from the field last season with the Dallas Mavericks.
At 36, Thompson still carries serious value as a shooter. He ranks fourth in NBA history in made three-pointers, and that kind of floor spacing is exactly what Miami was after.
DeRozan, by contrast, offers a very different offensive profile. He’s still one of the league’s best mid-range scorers and can generate points in isolation, but he doesn’t stretch the floor in the same way. That creates spacing problems next to Giannis and Adebayo, especially with Andrew Wiggins and other wings already on the roster.
Heat insider Ethan Skolnick previously reported that Miami liked DeRozan, but there wasn’t a clean role that would leave him satisfied. Thompson’s arrival only reinforced that concern.
After reaching a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks, Thompson is expected to sign a two-year, $13 million contract with the Miami Heat. He reportedly gave up $8.8 million in the buyout to leave Dallas and join another contender.
From Miami’s side, the choice makes sense. A lineup built around Thompson, Wiggins, Giannis and Adebayo gives Erik Spoelstra more spacing and more defensive flexibility than one featuring DeRozan.
The Heat wanted shooting, and they appear to have identified Thompson as their final starter. Once that became clear, Denver emerged as the obvious landing spot for DeRozan.
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Now Thompson has been bought out and is expected to land with the Miami Heat in free agency, another turn that underlines how far the Mavericks drifted from the plan that brought him in. Davis arrival was supposed to reset the roster, but injuries quickly complicated that idea and left Dallas with another expensive reminder that this pairing never really got the chance to become what it was sold as. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes the next stretch so interesting is that de Larrea is about to get another serious test before the season picture comes into focus. He is set for senior international competition with Spain in late August, and those games should offer a cleaner read on how his skill set translates when the pace quickens and the stakes rise. If he holds up well there, it only strengthens the argument that the Mavericks may have something more than a developmental project on their hands. [Read more 🡒]