Heat predicted to trade former first-rounder for Mavericks' generational $50M 4-time NBA champion

The Dallas Mavericks are still trying to determine the direction they want to take with their roster this season. One of the biggest decisions facing the franchise is what to do with Klay Thompson, who could either be traded or potentially bought out of his contract.

Thompson joined the Mavericks to play alongside Luka Doncic, but that partnership lasted only one season before Doncic was traded. For Thompson, pushing for a trade rather than a buyout could be the better option.

“Thompson should be angling for a trade to a desirable destination rather than a buyout, albeit he holds less control in the former scenario. The complicated aspect is the 4x NBA champion is still set to make $17.5 million next season, and there might not be too many teams eager on him at that price point,” Blue Man Hoops’ Peter O’Keefe wrote.

Thompson has started to generate interest around the league, with the Miami Heat emerging as one team interested in acquiring the four-time NBA champion.

“Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days. The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.

Sports Illustrated’s Austin Veazey believes the Heat could make a deal centered around former first-round pick Nikola Jovic and a future first-round pick swap to acquire Thompson.

“Miami Heat Receives: Klay Thompson. Dallas Mavericks Receive: Nikola Jovic, 2029 first-round pick swap. Nikola Jovic was handed a four-year, $64 million contract extension that kicks in this year. It was a questionable contract when he signed it, and he hasn't done anything to live up to it yet, averaging 7.3 PPG while shooting 26.9% from three, and he has yet to play in more than 50 games in a season,” Veazey wrote.

The Heat would receive an immediate boost from beyond the arc with Thompson, and his fit alongside LeBron James would make even more sense if the four-time MVP decides to sign with Miami. Jovic has shown flashes of production for the Heat, but moving on from him could allow Miami to add an established veteran with championship experience.

Thompson would enter the final year of his $50 million contract if he were traded to Miami. Thompson and Stephen Curry helped change the way the NBA views three-point shooting, cementing themselves as two of the greatest shooters in league history. Adding Thompson would be a major move for the Heat as they continue to build a championship contender.

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