The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have reached a contract buyout agreement, concluding a two-year period that was affected by the unexpected trade of Luka Doncic.
Thompson is set to join the Miami Heat once he goes through waivers, as per a source familiar with the plans of the five-time All-Star. The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press on Friday, mentioned that Thompson could potentially join the Heat as early as Sunday if not claimed by another team.
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.
Upon joining Dallas in a sign-and-trade deal from Golden State, Thompson was expected to bring his exceptional 3-point shooting skills to the Mavericks alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, the promising trio’s prospects were dashed after the trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and Irving’s injury, leading to Thompson coming off the bench for most games.
Thompson, who won four NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, spent his first 13 seasons with the Warriors, enduring injuries that caused him to miss two full seasons. In his two years with the Mavericks, he averaged 12.9 points and a 39% shooting rate from beyond the arc, showcasing his career averages of 19.6 points per game and a 41% 3-point shooting rate.
Having missed the playoffs only twice during his time with the Warriors, Thompson matched that record in his brief stint with the Mavericks. His departure is part of a significant revamp of the Dallas roster, leaving only five players from two years ago, under new leadership in president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri and general manager Mike Schmitz, and a new head coach, Dusty May.
In a separate development, DeMar DeRozan is reported to have agreed to a one-year contract with the Denver Nuggets, worth $3.9 million US, providing the team with a seasoned backcourt presence and aiming for his first championship in his 18th NBA season. DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, will join the Nuggets after stints with multiple teams, including Toronto, San Antonio, Chicago, and Sacramento.
