Miami’s offseason push is starting to look less like a plan and more like a full-scale talent grab.
The Heat already made a massive swing by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and that move alone changed the temperature around the franchise. But Miami doesn’t seem interested in stopping there. The team is still in the mix for LeBron James, and it’s also showing strong interest in Klay Thompson.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that James has not made a decision yet.
“ESPN's Shams says just now that he spoke to Rich Paul this morning and there's no decision by LeBron and no timetable on a decision. Shams said his understanding is focus remains on Heat, Cleveland, Philadelphia,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.
Thompson, meanwhile, has become another name tied to Miami. Jackson reported that the Mavericks guard is drawing real attention from the Heat, and that the interest exists whether James ends up in Miami or not.
“Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days. The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said,” Jackson wrote.
Dallas would prefer to work out a trade, but the more likely path may be a buyout. If Thompson reaches that market, Miami is viewed as a possible destination.
“The Heat are a potential landing spot for Klay Thompson, if the Mavericks agree to a buyout, per Anthony V Slater. Miami’s starting lineup could become truly elite, if they soon acquired both Thompson and LeBron James,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
That’s the kind of scenario that has to make the rest of the league pay attention. A starting five of Davion Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Thompson, James, and Antetokounmpo would be loaded with shot-making, size, and spacing.
Thompson also brings a massive resume with him. He has earned $298 million in his NBA career, and his shooting pedigree is right there with Steph Curry as one of the most gifted long-range marksmen the league has ever seen. On a roster packed with high-end talent and room to operate, Thompson could be looking at exactly the kind of setup that keeps him in the championship chase.
In Other News...
Heat Suddenly Need More From Davion Mitchell Than Ever Before
Miamis backcourt picture looks different now, and the Heat are left sorting out where the next reliable playmaking has to come from. Davion Mitchell has become one of the more interesting answers on the roster, not just because of his reputation as a rugged defender, but because he showed real signs last season that he can do more than hound ballhandlers and survive minutes.
Mitchells offensive growth gave Miami a reason to keep leaning on him, and the summer only added to the intrigue. He spent part of the offseason working out with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Greece, a reminder that his next step may come from handling bigger responsibilities in a more demanding role. If the Heat are going to stabilize the offense, Mitchell looks like a player who could be right in the middle of it. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Face One Huge Roster Decision After Missing On Another Star
Miamis offseason has already taken a dramatic turn, with the Heat landing Giannis Antetokounmpo in a recent trade even as they paid a steep price in depth to get him. That kind of move usually changes the whole conversation around a roster, but it also creates a new one: how to patch the holes left behind while keeping enough talent around a star who can tilt the East on his own.
One name that has surfaced in that search is Bradley Beal, a former high-level scorer whose market has shifted after a rough stretch and a hip injury. If Miami goes that route, it would likely be chasing value more than splash, weighing whether Beal still has enough left to help a contender or whether the Heat need to keep looking for a cleaner fit as they try to round out the roster. [Read more 🡒]