Reports have been circulating for a while that, as the Dallas Mavericks’ roster quickly filled up with a host of playable talent, some players would have to take a backseat or find new destinations. The frontcourt still has a clear logjam, which I previously highlighted as a potential area where the Raptors could step in as a bailout. Recently, the name that’s been gaining steam in the rumor mill is veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson.
A buyout seemed likely, and those assumptions proved correct yesterday afternoon when news broke that Dallas had agreed to a contract buyout with the 36-year-old. The team most eager to add him, the Miami Heat, was long rumored as the front-runner, and shortly afterward it was announced that Thompson is expected to sign in South Beach once he clears waivers.
Thompson and the Mavericks navigated a buyout from his $17.5 million expiring salary after the four-time NBA champion made it clear to Dallas that he wanted to play for a contender. The Heat made one of the NBA's all-time greatest shooters their top free agent priority this… https://t.co/gn8JRm2EBj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2026
The Heat’s offseason has been defined by their all-in push to add Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving them a new franchise star to build around in hopes of chasing another NBA title. Giannis has a strong frontcourt mate in Bam Adebayo and quality complimentary pieces around him like ex-Raptor Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson, and his long-time Bucks teammate Bobby Portis, who also came over in the trade.
But this Heat team is far from a surefire threat built for guaranteed championship success. There are still a ton of holes and areas that need to be addressed, and for starters, finding some additional three-point shooting depth stood out as a top priority. Miami went out and added wily vet Tim Hardaway Jr. (perhaps my favorite in the veteran role player category) in free agency, while also retaining another capable sniper in Simone Fontecchio.
And while Klay Thompson’s reputation around the league is that he’s far past his prime from his days as a "Splash Brother" on the Warriors, even at age 36 and with a mediocre Mavericks run — he still carries name recognition and three-point upside for a team that can really use all the shooting help it can get.
Which brings me to our beloved Toronto Raptors, another East team with high ambitions amid their expected Kawhi Leonard reunion and hopeful jumps from Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and the rest. While Toronto didn’t circulate as a suitor for Thompson’s services, it doesn’t change the fact that the Raptors still have spacing questions themselves, even if their elite defense is likely to strike fear in opponents.
Much like the Heat, the Raptors could also benefit from additional three-point firepower
Sure, they have capable guys in that category like Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamison Battle, and pending his arrival, I’m sure Kawhi Leonard can help from beyond the arc as well. But when it comes to a true ‘specialist’ or a reliable catch-and-shoot option, sometimes a veteran like Klay Thompson is exactly what you need for that role.
Quickley is still widely expected to run the starting point guard spot, while Walter shows more upside than just a catch-and-shoot guy, and Leonard’s important role needs no explanation.
Maybe Jamison Battle can replicate some of the magic we saw in his standout Game 3 playoff performance against the Cavs, at least over a longer stretch. But finding insurance beyond just one guy is crucial, which is probably why the Heat were so focused on Klay Thompson. Keep in mind, Thompson shot 38.3 percent from three last season, which is a slight dip from his prime years but still nothing to overlook.
As long as Klay can come in and knock down some big shots when his team needs them most, this is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Heat — one Raptors fans probably would’ve loved to claim for themselves.
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