The Heat are reportedly the favorites to land Klay Thompson if he secures a Mavericks buyout, holding an advantage over the Lakers because Miami can offer significantly more money on a one-year deal and an immediate starting role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Miami Heat could have the inside track to land Klay Thompson if his tenure with the Dallas Mavericks ends in a buyout.
According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Miami is currently viewed as the favorite to acquire the five-time All-Star should he become a free agent.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also been linked with Thompson, but the Heat would reportedly be able to offer the veteran significantly more money on a one-year contract.
Miami would also provide Thompson with a clear path to an immediate starting role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Heat could offer Klay Thompson bigger deal than Lakers
The financial difference could become one of Miami's biggest advantages if Thompson reaches the open market.
According to Sidery, the Heat have the ability to offer Thompson substantially more on a one-year agreement than the Lakers, who would face tighter financial limitations.
Thompson is currently owed $17.5 million in the final season of the three-year deal he signed with Dallas in 2024.
A buyout would require Thompson and the Mavericks to negotiate a reduction in that remaining salary before he could sign elsewhere.
Dallas, however, has reportedly been resistant to simply letting Thompson walk, with the organization still exploring whether it can find value for him on the trade market.
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Thompson could immediately start alongside Giannis
Miami could also offer Thompson a significant basketball role.
Sidery reported that the four-time NBA champion would be expected to become an immediate starter for the Heat alongside Antetokounmpo.
Miami's current roster also features Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Bobby Portis after the organization completed its blockbuster trade for Giannis earlier this offseason.
Thompson's shooting would provide an obvious complementary skill alongside Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, particularly because of the spacing created by a high-volume perimeter threat.
Lakers remain another possible destination
Los Angeles has also surfaced as a possible option if Thompson becomes available.
The 36-year-old has connections to Southern California and has reportedly been open to the possibility of playing in Los Angeles.
A move to the Lakers could also reunite Thompson with Luka Doncic after the pair spent time together in Dallas.
Thompson remains elite three-point threat
Thompson's overall production declined during the 2025-26 season, but his outside shooting remained valuable.
He averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists across 69 games for Dallas while making 38.3% of his 7.6 three-point attempts per game.
The former Golden State Warriors star also connected on 2.9 three-pointers per game despite averaging only 21.7 minutes.
Thompson spent his first 13 NBA seasons with Golden State, winning four championships and earning five All-Star selections before joining Dallas in 2024.
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