Dallas – NBA sharpshooter Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after the Dallas Mavericks completed a contract buyout on Friday, according to ESPN sources. The 36‑year‑old guard, who was slated to earn $17.5 million in the final year of his deal with the Mavericks, requested the buyout to pursue a championship opportunity.

Buyout and move to Miami

Thompson informed the Mavericks, who finished 26‑56 last season, that he wanted to join a contender. The Heat, fresh from a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, identified Thompson as a target to bolster their perimeter shooting.

Career highlights

During his two seasons in Dallas, Thompson averaged 12.9 points per game and shot 38.7 % from three‑point range. He recently passed Damian Lillard to rank fourth on the NBA’s all‑time three‑point list with 2,899 made threes, trailing only James Harden, Stephen Curry and Ray Allen.

Thompson spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors, winning four championships and earning five All‑Star selections before injuries sidelined him for consecutive seasons.

Comments from Dallas

“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization,” Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said in a statement. “We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

What Miami gains

The Heat view Thompson’s elite shooting as a key piece in building a contender around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. With Thompson’s addition, Miami aims to improve its three‑point efficiency and add veteran leadership as the team pursues a deep playoff run.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.