Lakers, Heat waiting to see if Klay Thompson becomes available

Klay Thompson’s future with the Mavericks remains unsettled, and several contenders appear perfectly willing to wait this one out.

Dallas remains open to trading Thompson, though talks involving the veteran guard have yet to become “extensive,” according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

The Heat have been linked most frequently to Thompson. Miami could construct a deal around Nikola Jovic, whose $16.2 million salary comes close to Thompson’s expiring $17.5 million contract. But Siegel reports the Heat don’t appear particularly interested in moving Jovic, especially after trading several younger players in the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster.

That leaves another possibility: Wait for Dallas to buy Thompson out.

The Heat, Lakers and Warriors all have interest if Thompson reaches free agency, per Siegel, though a reunion with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State is considered “highly unlikely” before the season.

There’s one fairly significant problem with the buyout scenario.

The Mavericks aren’t interested in one. Thompson hasn’t approached Dallas about negotiating an exit, either. The Mavericks instead hope to use his expiring contract in a trade and receive something of value rather than simply allowing him to walk.

Thompson, 36, recently made clear that winning remains his priority at this stage of his career.

“I want to compete for a championship,” he said during a Twitch appearance this week.