Mavericks exploring Klay Thompson trade; Heat viewed as possible suitor

Klay Thompson’s time with the Mavericks may be nearing an end.

That’s because Dallas has explored trade possibilities involving the five-time All-Star, multiple rival-team sources told Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Thompson would reportedly prefer to play in Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home. The Heat, meanwhile, are frequently mentioned around the NBA as a potential landing spot.

Miami’s interest makes sense. The Heat need additional perimeter shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and Thompson still made 38.3 percent of his 3-pointers last season.

Of course, he isn’t the same Thompson who won four championships with the Warriors.

The 36-year-old averaged career lows of 11.7 points and 21.7 minutes in 69 games last season. He joined Dallas in 2024 expecting to compete for championships alongside Luka Doncic, but that plan disappeared when Doncic was traded during Thompson’s first season.

The Mavericks are now building around Cooper Flagg, with new president Masai Ujiri reshaping the roster.

Thompson is owed $17.5 million in the final year of his contract. Miami hasn’t made progress toward a trade and reportedly would prefer to wait for a buyout, which could allow the Heat to offer approximately $8 million through their non-taxpayer midlevel exception.

Dallas has little incentive to accommodate that plan immediately. The Mavericks remain below the luxury-tax line and don’t need Thompson’s salary removed for financial reasons.

They do have 16 players on standard contracts, meaning someone must go before the regular season.

Dallas also added Santi Aldama and Tarik Biberovic to improve its outside shooting, while Kyrie Irving is expected back from a torn ACL. That could leave Thompson with an even smaller role under new coach Dusty May.

Thompson can still shoot. The question is whether Dallas still has much use for him.