Veteran guard Klay Thompson had his introductory press conference on Tuesday, where he was officially presented with a No. 11 Miami Heat jersey.
Thompson briefly spoke to the media about why he pushed to sign with the Heat, noting he liked the franchise’s competitive, demanding atmosphere. He added that he liked “the opportunity to play high-level basketball throughout the season and the chance to make a deep postseason run. I’ve tasted winning before, and there’s nothing like it.”
On a more personal note, the veteran guard previewed the 2026-27 season, saying that it was “a redemption season,” especially because even at 36 years old, he believes he can still compete at “a high level.”
Thompson spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks. He played in 69 games, but largely in a support role, starting only eight games. He averaged 11.7 points per game, his lowest mark over the course of a season in his career.
The veteran’s numbers have declined over the last three seasons. After averaging 21.9 points with the Golden State Warriors over 69 games in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 17.9, 14.0 and 11.7 points per game in the three seasons after.
Thompson’s role with Miami has yet to be determined, but it could be a mix of starting games and providing a veteran boost off the bench. Miami’s other shooting guard in the mix for starts is Tim Hardaway Jr, who averaged 13.5 points over 80 games with the Denver Nuggets last season.
Hardaway is on a one-year, $6.065 million deal, while Thompson signed a two-year, $11.48 million deal that includes a player option for next season.
Thompson wasn’t the biggest acquisition for the Heat this offseason. Miami acquired two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks along with Bobby Portis in a trade for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, the draft rights to Nate Ament, three first-round draft picks (2026, ’31 and ’33), one pick swap (2030) and a 2033 second-round selection.
One possible Miami starting lineup would feature Davion Mitchell, Thompson, Andrew Wiggins (who signed a three-year, $64 million extension with the Heat), Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
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