Klay Thompson’s disappointing Dallas chapter is over, but Joe Johnson believes the four-time champion could become the missing shooter in Miami.
The Dallas Mavericks officially announced they had reached a contract buyout with Thompson, clearing the way for the 36-year-old to join the Miami Heat once he passes through waivers.
According to ESPN, Thompson intends to sign a two-year contract worth almost US$13 million, with a player option included for the second season.
The move will place one of the greatest shooters in NBA history alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo as Miami attempts to build another championship team.
Johnson Backs Thompson to Make an Impact
Seven-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson believes Thompson remains an ideal addition for a Heat roster requiring perimeter shooting around its dominant frontcourt.
“Klay plays the right way, obviously championship pedigree is going to help Miami and what they’re trying to do,” Johnson said on the Nightcap podcast, as reported by The Sporting News.
Johnson also said he hoped Thompson would receive another opportunity to play “championship-calibre basketball”.
That opportunity now appears to be waiting in Miami.
Antetokounmpo and Adebayo will command enormous defensive attention around the basket, creating the type of catch-and-shoot opportunities Thompson has exploited throughout his career.
Miami has also added Tim Hardaway Jr, giving the Heat two experienced perimeter scorers capable of punishing teams that collapse into the paint.
Dallas Experiment Ends in Disappointment
Thompson joined Dallas on a three-year, US$50 million contract in 2024 after winning four championships during his decorated career with the Golden State Warriors.
The move was supposed to give Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving another proven scorer following the Mavericks’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Instead, Dallas traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and suffered a disastrous 26–56 campaign in 2025–26.
Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists last season while shooting 38.3 per cent from three-point range. Those numbers confirmed he is no longer the two-way superstar who helped build the Warriors dynasty, but his shooting remains valuable.
Across his two seasons in Dallas, Thompson averaged 12.9 points and converted 38.7 per cent of his three-point attempts.
The Mavericks were due to pay him approximately US$17.5 million in the final season of his contract, but the buyout was reportedly initiated after Thompson told the organisation he wanted to join a contender.
Dallas president Masai Ujiri described Thompson as one of the great players and competitors of his generation while confirming the separation.
Miami Could Give Thompson the Role Dallas Could Not
The Heat do not need Thompson to become an All-Star again.
They need him to space the floor, move without the ball and punish defenders for leaving him to contain Antetokounmpo or Adebayo.
That reduced role could allow Thompson to remain effective without carrying the offensive and defensive responsibilities he handled during his prime.
Miami had already identified Thompson as its leading target after acquiring Antetokounmpo, with The Sporting Base previously reporting the Heat’s interest in the veteran shooter.
The proposed contract is also a relatively low-risk gamble. Miami will acquire an experienced playoff performer without sacrificing trade assets or committing elite-player money.
Thompson currently sits fourth on the NBA’s career three-point list with 2,899 makes. Even if his defensive mobility and consistency have declined, opponents will still be reluctant to leave him unattended.
His time in Dallas may be remembered as an unsuccessful experiment, but Johnson is right about what Thompson can still provide.
Championship experience, shooting and intelligent off-ball movement could make him far more important to Miami than his recent statistics suggest.
