Klay Thompson Picks Heat Over Lakers in Buyout Move

Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after a buyout from Dallas, spurning the Lakers despite deep Los Angeles ties.

Klay Thompson is expected to sign with the Miami Heat after clearing waivers following a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania as cited by Yahoo Sports and the New York Post. The Athletic reports that a league source said Thompson is expected to sign with Miami once he clears waivers on Sunday, though contract details have yet to be finalized. The financial terms of the buyout with Dallas have not been disclosed. Thompson's time in Dallas ends before the final year of a three-year, $50 million contract he signed in 2024.

The Lakers were previously linked to acquiring Thompson as a way to add another shooter alongside Luka Doncic, and the fit appeared natural on multiple levels. Thompson grew up around the Lakers organization — his father, Mychal Thompson, was a member of the team in the 1980s and won back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. Thompson is also a Los Angeles resident. Two weeks ago, Thompson shared a reel on his Instagram story showing him in a Lakers uniform from the video game NBA 2K, writing, "This is what my dreams look like on a consistent basis." The Athletic reports that one reason Thompson chose Dallas over the Lakers in 2024 was concern about Anthony Davis's availability.

Thompson's shooting credentials remain elite. Last year, he made 202 three-pointers with a 41.4% three-point percentage. According to The Athletic, Thompson ranks fourth on the NBA's all-time three-pointers made list, and the 418 threes he knocked down in two years with the Mavericks were 183 more than his next-closest teammate. The Athletic also reports he played in 141 of a possible 164 games across two seasons. The Lakers, by contrast, shot 35.9% from three-point range as a team and had only three players eclipse 100 made three-pointers: Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura — and Hachimura has since signed with the Clippers.

Thompson signed with the Mavericks in 2024 to join Doncic when Dallas was just removed from an NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics, but their time as teammates was short-lived. According to The Athletic, Thompson and Doncic played only 21 games together before the Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers in February 2025. The Athletic also reports that Anthony Davis, acquired in return, was only able to suit up in 29 games because of injuries before he was traded about one year later, that Dallas went 26-56 this past season, and that the 36-year-old Thompson shifted into a bench role and handled the reduced responsibility well.

With Thompson heading to Miami, the Lakers are left without the veteran sharpshooter many expected them to pursue given their need for floor spacing. According to The Athletic, the Mavericks continue their transition toward building around 19-year-old star Cooper Flagg, and Thompson will no longer be part of that process. The Athletic notes that Thompson remained professional throughout the franchise's turmoil, never seeking pity.