Does Klay Thompson really move the needle for the Heat?

Klay Thompson should help the Heat. But does he actually change what they are?

That’s the more interesting question after Thompson reached a buyout agreement with Dallas and emerged as the expected next addition to a Miami roster already headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

CBS Sports analyst John Gonzalez isn’t among those who isn’t convinced.

“I don’t know that Klay Thompson really changes any of those numbers,” Gonzalez said, pointing to Miami’s projected 44.5-win total and 7-to-1 odds to win the Eastern Conference.

That’s probably fair. Thompson remains a dangerous perimeter shooter and should fit nicely alongside Antetokounmpo, whose ability to collapse defenses figures to generate plenty of open looks.  But Thompson is also 36 and coming off a season in which he averaged a career-low 11.7 points while shooting 39.3 percent from the field.

In other words, this isn’t the Thompson who helped Golden State win four championships.

Miami still has plenty to like. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo give the Heat one of the league’s most imposing frontcourts, with Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis and Davion Mitchell among the supporting pieces.

But the East isn’t exactly waiting around. The Knicks are defending champions. Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. Boston still has Jayson Tatum.

Thompson makes Miami better. At this stage of his career, though, it’s fair to wonder how much better.