NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Chicago Bulls
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) runs on the court during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Klay Thompson is excited to get the next chapter of his NBA career underway with the Miami Heat. He even has a new nickname to boast about after moving to South Beach.
Thompson has achieved remarkable success in his career, helping the Golden State Warriors win four championships. He departed in 2024 for the Dallas Mavericks, representing them for two seasons.
As Dallas is going through a rebuild, Thompson decided to accept a buyout and become a free agent. He chose to sign with the Heat, having a clear role on a team that has a star core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins.
Miami has embraced having Thompson on the roster. They have nicknames for past and present stars, with Thompson being no exception. They ended up with “Biscayne Klay,” which rhymes with the name of the lagoon Biscayne Bay. Safe to say that Thompson loved the nickname when asked about it.
“I love it. Anything that has to do with the ocean, I’m a very nautical guy. Sea captain, I’m all about, so Biscayne Klay, let’s run with it,” he said, per the Heat on X, formerly Twitter.
We asked Klay what he thinks of the nickname “Biscayne Klay”… 👀 pic.twitter.com/7boYi5cETr
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) September 6, 2026
What lies ahead for Klay Thompson and Heat next season
NBA: Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat
Nov 24, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) takes a three-point shot as Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) closes in during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Klay Thompson looks forward to winning games with the Heat. They stand out as a team that can come out of the East, presenting an opportunity for the veteran star to compete for his fifth title.
Miami finished with a 43-39 record last season, finishing in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017, losing to the Charlotte Hornets in the play-in tournament.
The Heat have filled key rotation spots following the Antetokounmpo trade. Besides adding Thompson, they signed Tim Hardaway Jr., Nick Richards, Ryan Conwell and Tre Donaldson to the squad, helping the team gear up for an exciting era of basketball for the team’s fans.
Antetokounmpo pairs up with Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins as the main star core. Thompson, Davion Mitchell, Hardaway and others round out the group. Should plenty go well, they stand out as serious contenders in the East.