Thompson takes $9.8M buyout to join Miami

Klay Thompson’s brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks has ended through a buyout that frees the veteran to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers. According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype, Thompson returned roughly $9.8 million in the agreement, walking away from the final season of his $17.5 million contract. He is expected to join Miami on a two‑year, $13 million deal, a smaller figure that offers him a defined role in a win‑now environment.

The move concludes an offseason filled with speculation, as Dallas shifted toward a youth‑driven project built around Cooper Flagg and a new coaching direction. Miami, meanwhile, remained the only franchise consistently pursuing Thompson, convinced his shooting, experience and off‑ball movement would complement Giannis Antetokounmpo and enhance the team’s spacing.

Despite recent decline, Thompson’s pedigree and perimeter reliability still carry weight. His arrival gives the Heat a strategic piece that could influence their championship ambitions.