The Dallas Mavericks are moving on from Klay Thompson. The team announced it agreed to a buyout with the sharpshooter Friday, making Thompson an unrestricted free agent.
The Mavericks released a statement announcing the decision. In it, Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri called Thompson “one of the great players and competitors of his generation.” Ujiri said the franchise had “tremendous respect” for Thompson and wished him well going forward.
Thompson was entering the final year of the three-year, $50 million deal he signed with the team in 2024 following a massive sign-and-trade deal. He was owed $17 million from the Mavericks during the upcoming season.
With the move, Thompson was set to become an unrestricted free agent. But his time on the market likely won’t last long. Thompson is reportedly set to sign with the Miami Heat once he clears waivers, per ESPN.
The 36-year-old Thompson is regarded as one of the best players — and deep threats — of his era. But injuries and age have lowered his ceiling in recent years.
Following a walk year with the Golden State Warriors that saw Thompson average 17.9 points, the veteran has seen his scoring averages drop in each of his seasons with the Mavericks. After starting all 72 games in which he appeared during the 2024-25 NBA season, Thompson was relegated to backup duty last season with the Mavericks. He averaged just 11.7 points and shot a career-low 38.3% from beyond the arc.
Given his history with the franchise, some may have expected Thompson to at least consider the Warriors as a destination once he hit the market. Instead, Thompson will reportedly join the Heat — and newly-acquired big man Giannis Antetokounmpo — in search of one more championship ring before Thompson hangs up his sneakers for good.
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