There is growing buzz around a potential Klay Thompson move this offseason, with several teams mentioned as possible destinations for the four-time NBA champion.
The Miami Heat have been among the teams most frequently linked with Thompson. Although Miami would reportedly prefer to sign him following a potential buyout rather than trade for him, a possible deal with the Dallas Mavericks has also been discussed.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Dallas would be willing to trade Thompson, while a framework involving Heat forward Nikola Jovic has generated buzz in recent weeks.
"The Mavericks would trade Klay Thompson. There's definitely been some type of buzz, framework, whatever about a Klay Thompson-for-Nikola Jovic thing for weeks now," Fischer reported on Bleacher Report.
Heat keeping $7 million available for Thompson
Thompson remains under contract with Dallas and is owed $17.5 million in the final season of his deal.
A trade remains possible, but completing one could be complicated for Miami because Nikola Jovic, Davion Mitchell, and Bobby Portis are among the few Heat players whose salaries could help facilitate a one-for-one deal involving Thompson.
The more straightforward route would be for Thompson to reach a buyout agreement with the Mavericks and enter free agency.
Under one hypothetical scenario, Thompson could surrender approximately $7 million of his remaining salary. Miami could then use the roughly $7 million it has left from its mid-level exception to make up the difference.
As a result, the Heat are not expected to use that remaining money elsewhere while Thompson's future remains unresolved.
Thompson viewed as important fit next to Giannis, Adebayo
Klay Thompson Mavericks
Klay Thompson Mavericks
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 connected on 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 three-pointers per game, Thompson recorded 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 to add more floor spacing around its new leading duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Thompson's off-ball movement and reputation as an elite shooter would force defenders to stay attached to him, potentially creating additional space for Antetokounmpo and Adebayo to operate around the paint.
For that reason, Thompson is reportedly among the Heat's preferred realistic options as they look to complete their roster.