For the first time in his career, Klay Thompson will make the move to the East after Chris Haynes reported that the Mavericks reached a buyout agreement with the 36-year-old. ESPN's Shams Charania followed up with the news that the guard is expected to sign with the Heat once he clears waivers.
So, after the Warriors had their eye on Giannis Antetokounmpo for years, Thompson will get to play with him, just not in Golden State, but in Miami? Yep!
It can be funny how things work out, but in this case, it's not so funny.
Trading for Antetokounmpo would've given the Warriors the shot they needed to make another championship push with Steph Curry. They tried aggressively to make it happen before the deadline by offering four unprotected first-round picks, but they accepted their fate this offseason and stepped back from trade discussions.
Golden State can make another run at a co-star to pair alongside Curry next offseason, and by then, Thompson could be a champion again for the fifth time, but the first time with the Heat. It's not that Warriors fans should be rooting against Thompson, but it would sting to see that happen, especially alongside Giannis.
BREAKING: Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jV40iKTyEz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026
Thompson will team up with Antetokounmpo in Miami
Charania reported that Thompson and Dallas reached a buyout agreement after the guard made it clear he wanted to join a contender. That label doesn't apply to the Mavericks, and obviously not the Warriors, either. His sights were clearly set on the Heat, as he could've waited to field offers from other teams that would've been interested.
Miami has been waiting for Dallas to buy out Thompson's contract so it can swoop in, making it clear it wants him. The Heat needed to round out their depth around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and it's a huge plus that they did so with Klay, who is a career 40.9% shooter from three.
If Thompson still has enough left in his tank (and he shot 38.3% from deep on 7.6 attempts per game last season, so he should), he can prove to be a great addition for the Heat. This is a win-win for both sides: Klay gets to play a valuable contributor role again for a team with a real shot at something, and Miami needs his help to get there.
If you had known even three years ago that, one day soon, Thompson would play alongside Antetokounmpo (and not in Milwaukee), you probably would've been ecstatic, thinking it would come to fruition in Golden State. In a dream world, yes, but this one, no.
