The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have reached an agreement for a contract buyout, marking the end of a two-year period overshadowed by Luka Doncic’s surprising trade. Thompson is set to join the Miami Heat following his clearance from waivers, as confirmed by a reliable source familiar with the plans of the five-time All-Star. The details remain undisclosed by Thompson publicly, with a potential signing with the Heat anticipated as early as Sunday if no other team claims him.
The decision for the buyout follows the Mavericks’ failure to make the playoffs during Thompson’s tenure, which followed Doncic leading Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024. Thompson came to Dallas in a sign-and-trade deal from Golden State, aiming to enhance the team’s lineup with his elite 3-point shooting skills alongside Doncic and fellow guard Kyrie Irving.
However, the promising trio’s aspirations were shattered after the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in 2025, just before the trade deadline. Irving suffered a left knee ACL tear a month later and has been sidelined since, while Davis was subsequently traded to the Washington Wizards before last season’s trade deadline.
The trade involving Doncic had significant repercussions for the franchise, although Dallas defied the odds by winning the draft lottery shortly after. This led to the selection of Duke’s standout freshman Cooper Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick, who later earned the Rookie of the Year title, injecting new optimism into the team.
Flagg’s addition prompted Thompson to transition to a bench role for the first time since his rookie season with Golden State. This move reflects a broader overhaul of the Dallas roster, with Thompson’s departure leaving only five players from the team’s lineup two years ago. The organization has also undergone changes in its front office, welcoming Masai Ujiri as president of basketball operations, Mike Schmitz as general manager, and Dusty May as the new head coach succeeding Jason Kidd.
Thompson, a key figure in securing four NBA championships with the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, spent 13 seasons with Golden State before joining the Mavericks. Despite facing setbacks due to knee and Achilles injuries that sidelined him for two seasons, the five-time All-Star maintained an average of 12.9 points and a 39% 3-point shooting rate during his time with the Mavericks. Throughout his career, Thompson has achieved averages of 19.6 points per game and a 41% success rate from beyond the arc.
In January, Thompson surpassed Damian Lillard to claim the fourth spot on the all-time career 3-point list, boasting 2,899 successful 3-pointers, trailing only Curry, James Harden, and Ray Allen. While Thompson experienced playoff absences in just two seasons during his tenure with the Warriors, he matched that record during his brief stint with Dallas.
Acknowledging Thompson’s contributions, Ujiri expressed gratitude for his impact on the Mavericks organization, lauding him as a distinguished player and competitor of his generation. Meanwhile, in other NBA news, DeMar DeRozan has agreed to a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets, valued at the veteran minimum of $3.9 million US, as he embarks on his 18th season aiming for his first championship. DeRozan’s move to Denver follows stints with various teams, bringing his seasoned skills to fortify the Nuggets’ backcourt presence.