The Miami Heat are reportedly prepared to remain patient as they wait for Klay Thompson's situation with the Dallas Mavericks to be resolved.
According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Miami has strong interest in Thompson but would prefer to sign him after a potential buyout rather than trade for the veteran guard.
Heat keeping $7 million available for Thompson
Thompson remains under contract with Dallas and is owed $17.5 million in the final year of his deal.
A trade is still possible, but it would be difficult for Miami to complete because Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell, and Bobby Portis are the only current Heat players whose salaries would allow for a one-for-one deal involving Thompson.
The cleaner path would be for Thompson to reach a buyout agreement with the Mavericks and become a free agent.
Under one hypothetical scenario, Thompson could give up $7 million of his remaining salary. Miami could then use the approximately $7 million it has left from the mid-level exception to make up the difference.
The Heat are therefore not expected to spend that remaining money elsewhere while Thompson's future remains unresolved.
Thompson viewed as important fit next to Giannis, Adebayo
Although Thompson is no longer the same two-way player he was before suffering major knee and Achilles injuries, he remains one of the NBA's most respected outside shooters.
The 36-year-old made 38.3% of his 7.6 three-point attempts per game for Dallas last season. Among the 32 NBA players who attempted at least seven threes per game, Thompson posted the 11th-best percentage.
He also ranks fourth in NBA history with 2,899 made three-pointers, trailing only Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen.
Miami already has several capable shooters, but the team is looking for additional floor spacing around its new leading duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Thompson's movement and reputation as an elite shooter would force opposing defenses to remain attached to him, potentially creating more room for Antetokounmpo and Adebayo to operate inside.
For that reason, the Heat are reportedly prioritizing Thompson among the realistic options still available as they complete their roster.