Klay Thompson to Sign Two-Year, $13 Million Deal With Heat After Mavs Buyout

When the Miami Heat pulled off the blockbuster trade for two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, everyone was ready to put them in the contender conversation.

Key points

• Last season with Dallas, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range.
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• This person shot 40.7% from deep last season with the Denver Nuggets, and still has Andrew Wiggins, who shot 41.4% from three.
• ESPN's Shams Charania documented that Miami intends to sign five-time All-Star Klay Thompson to a two-year agreement around $13 million, including a player option in his second season.
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On Friday, the Heat obtained their sharpshooter. ESPN's Shams Charania documented that Miami intends to sign five-time All-Star Klay Thompson to a two-year agreement around $13 million, including a player option in his second season. Thompson had just agreed to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, and once he clears waivers, he's projected to sign with the Heat.

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Thompson has been one of the hottest names on the market for months. With the Mavericks clearly heading in a younger direction under first-time NBA head coach Dusty May and reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, it felt like Thompson could chase another ring elsewhere. Now he lands in arguably the best feasible situation, joining a team that desperately needs his assist and where he can create an impact right away.

Last season with Dallas, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range. He may not be the 20-point-per-game scorer he was in Golden State, but he's still an elite perimeter shooter who can stretch the floor – and a four-time NBA champion. That championship pedigree is crucial for a Heat team that sees itself as a title contender.

Miami additionally brought in Tim Hardaway Jr. This offseason. This person shot 40.7% from deep last season with the Denver Nuggets, and still has Andrew Wiggins, who shot 41.4% from three. But adding Thompson gives head coach Erik Spoelstra another proven veteran who can play comfortably off the ball and doesn't need 30 minutes a night to create an impact.

With what could be one of the best two-way frontcourt duos in NBA history in Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, and now three reliable perimeter scorers, the Heat suddenly look like a far more viable contender in what's rapidly become a loaded Eastern Conference.

For now, klay Thompson to Sign Two-Year, $13 Million Deal With Heat After Mavs remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.