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.
In Other News...
Heat Title Hype Now Hinges On One Big Roster Question
The Heat have spent the offseason reshaping their roster with an unmistakable win-now edge, adding proven championship experience and keeping Andrew Wiggins in the fold on a new extension. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis Jr. are among the names now linked to Miami, a clear sign the organization is pushing its chips in ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season and trying to build a group with real playoff bite.
The biggest remaining question is how much farther the front office can go in turning that talent into a finished contender. Klay Thompson is reportedly working through a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks and is expected to land in Miami, which would add another veteran scorer and a very different kind of floor-spacing threat to a roster already undergoing major change. What happens next could determine whether this summer is remembered as a strong setup or the point when the Heat finally push the project over the top. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Still Have One Important Roster Move Left
The Heat have been busy reshaping the roster, and the additions of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson have given Miami a far different look heading into the season. Even with those headline moves, there is still a practical question hanging over the group: how to shore up the bench after losing several players and keep the rotation from looking thin once the season gets rolling.
Miami still has two open roster spots, and one of them could be used before opening night to give the team a little more balance. Nick Richards would address size and interior depth, Bruce Brown Jr. would bring versatility and defensive help, and Ochai Agbaji offers another kind of wing option, leaving the Heat with a decision that could shape how sturdy the roster feels beyond the top names. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Already Face A Klay Thompson Fit Decision
Klay Thompson still has not officially signed with the Heat, but the conversation around his arrival has already turned to how Miami would use him if he does land there. The fit question is straightforward enough on paper and complicated enough in practice, with the team weighing whether Thompson would join the starting lineup or provide scoring punch off the bench.
Erik Spoelstra is expected to make the final call, and the decision will say plenty about how Miami wants to balance its backcourt. The Heat have multiple options at shooting guard, with Pelle Larsson and Tim Hardaway Jr. also in the mix, so Thompsons role would not just be about reputation or resume. It would be about where he best slots into a rotation that already has several ways to go. [Read more 🡒]