Klay Thompson has officially signed with the Miami Heat, completing one of the most intriguing late-career moves of the NBA offseason.
The five-time All-Star cleared waivers after negotiating a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks and was immediately unveiled by his new team.
“We just made a splash, bro! Welcome to the 305,” Miami posted while announcing the move.
The signing transforms Thompson’s move from a reported agreement into a completed transaction, placing the four-time NBA champion alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Thompson Officially Becomes a Miami Player
The NBA confirmed Thompson had signed with Miami after he became an unrestricted free agent by passing through waivers unclaimed.
Thompson is reportedly joining the Heat on a two-year contract worth nearly US$13 million. The agreement includes a player option for the second season.
The 36-year-old had been owed approximately US$17.5 million in the final year of the three-year, US$50 million contract he signed with Dallas in 2024.
His buyout was reportedly initiated after Thompson informed the Mavericks that he wanted another opportunity to compete for a championship.
Miami identified shooting as one of its biggest requirements after acquiring Antetokounmpo and made Thompson its leading target.
Miami Finally Has Its Giannis Floor Spacer
Thompson is no longer the dominant two-way guard who helped Golden State win four championships, but his shooting still demands attention from opposing defences.
He averaged 11.7 points and 2.1 rebounds across 69 appearances last season while converting 38.3 per cent of his three-point attempts.
Across two seasons in Dallas, Thompson averaged 12.9 points and shot approximately 39 per cent from beyond the arc.
Those numbers may look modest compared with the prime years of his Warriors career, but Miami does not need Thompson to become an All-Star again.
Antetokounmpo’s interior dominance will regularly force defenders to collapse towards the basket, while Adebayo’s screening and passing can create open opportunities away from the ball.
Leaving Thompson unattended remains extremely dangerous.
He ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,899 career three-pointers, trailing only Stephen Curry, James Harden and Ray Allen.
Miami Adds Another Champion
Thompson won four championships during his 13 seasons with Golden State and formed one half of the legendary “Splash Brothers” partnership with Curry.
His ability to perform in high-pressure playoff environments gives Miami another experienced option as it attempts to maximise its championship window around Antetokounmpo.
Seven-time All-Star Joe Johnson recently backed the move, arguing that Thompson’s championship pedigree could help Miami’s rebuilt roster.
Thompson also joins former Warriors teammate Andrew Wiggins in Miami, giving the Heat two players who helped Golden State win the 2022 championship.
Tim Hardaway Jr provides another experienced perimeter threat, while head coach Erik Spoelstra now possesses several different shooting combinations to place around Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.
Dallas Experiment Ends After Two Seasons
Thompson joined Dallas believing he could challenge for another championship alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
That vision quickly disappeared.
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and eventually completed a dramatic organisational overhaul that included a new president of basketball operations, general manager and head coach.
Dallas finished the 2025–26 season with a 26–56 record, while Thompson was increasingly moved into a reduced role.
Mavericks president Masai Ujiri still praised the veteran after completing the buyout.
“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation,” Ujiri said.
Thompson missed the playoffs only twice across his 11 active seasons with Golden State. He equalled that total during his two years in Dallas.
Heat Move Carries Little Financial Risk
Miami has acquired one of the greatest shooters in league history without surrendering a player or draft asset.
The reported US$13 million commitment across two seasons also protects the Heat from making a significant financial gamble on an ageing player.
If Thompson can remain healthy and consistently convert open shots, the move could become one of the offseason’s best-value signings.
His limitations are obvious. He has lost defensive mobility, cannot create shots as consistently as he once did and is unlikely to carry a major offensive workload.
However, Miami has signed him to complement its superstars rather than become one.
The Heat needed shooting, championship experience and a player capable of operating without the ball.
Thompson provides all three.
Miami’s latest splash may not resemble the superstar version of Klay Thompson, but it could still become the move that completes a genuine championship contender.
