The Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson have reached an agreement on a contract buyout, concluding a two-year period that was overshadowed by the unexpected trade of Luka Doncic.
Thompson is set to join the Miami Heat once he goes through the waiver process, as per a source aware of the intentions of the five-time All-Star. The source, who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press on Friday, indicated that Thompson could potentially finalize his move to the Heat as early as Sunday if no other team claims him.
This decision to buy out Thompson comes after the Mavericks failed to make the playoffs during his tenure, following Doncic’s historic lead that took Dallas to the NBA Finals in 2024.
Upon joining Dallas in a sign-and-trade from Golden State, Thompson was expected to bolster the team’s shooting prowess alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving. However, the promising trio’s potential was shattered after Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in 2025. Subsequently, Irving suffered a career-threatening injury, and Davis was later traded to the Washington Wizards.
The trade of Doncic had a detrimental impact on the Mavericks, although they managed to defy the odds and secure the top pick in the subsequent draft. With that pick, they selected Cooper Flagg from Duke, who went on to win the Rookie of the Year award, injecting new optimism into the franchise.
Flagg’s arrival led to a shift in Thompson’s role, often coming off the bench for the first time since his debut season with Golden State.
Thompson’s buyout is part of a broader overhaul of the Mavericks’ roster, leaving only a handful of players from two years ago, alongside new leadership in president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, general manager Mike Schmitz, and head coach Dusty May, who replaced Jason Kidd.
Thompson, a four-time NBA champion with the Warriors, spent 13 seasons with Golden State before his stint with the Mavericks, where he averaged 12.9 points and a 39% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. His career statistics stand at 19.6 points per game and a 41% three-point shooting rate.
In January, Thompson surpassed Damian Lillard to claim the fourth spot on the all-time three-pointers list with 2,899 made shots, trailing behind Curry, Harden, and Allen.
Having missed the playoffs only twice during his time with the Warriors, Thompson experienced the same number of playoff absences during his brief tenure with Dallas.
Ujiri expressed gratitude towards Thompson, recognizing his contributions and accomplishments throughout his career, stating, “Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization.”
In a related development, DeMar DeRozan has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets worth $3.9 million, marking his fifth team in his 18th NBA season. The veteran player, aiming for his first championship, will bring his experience to the Nuggets’ backcourt, following the departure of Peyton Watson in a recent trade. Watson, a young and versatile wing, had a productive season with the Nuggets, starting 40 games and averaging career-best stats in points, rebounds, and assists.
DeRozan, originally drafted by Toronto in 2009, spent the majority of his career with the Raptors before stints with San Antonio, Chicago, and Sacramento. With a career scoring average of 18.4 points per game, DeRozan looks to make an impact with the Nuggets and help elevate the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season.