Klay Thompson Embraces Miami Heat Move as He Targets Another NBA Championship

Posted : 26 August 2026

Klay Thompson is already feeling at home in Miami, and his connection to the city runs deeper than simply joining the Heat. His family has longstanding ties to the area, while his Bahamian heritage has also made Miami a natural fit.

Thompson's father, Mychal, helped Miami Jackson High School win a state championship in 1974. His brother Mychel attended the same Oregon high school as Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. Miami also puts Thompson much closer to relatives in the Bahamas, adding another personal reason for the move.

The veteran guard officially joined the Heat after clearing waivers following a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. He agreed to a two-year contract with Miami, with the second season giving him a player option. Reports put the deal at roughly $11.5 million to nearly $13 million, depending on the source's accounting.

For Thompson, the biggest attraction was the opportunity to compete for another championship. The five-time All-Star was willing to give up around $10 million from his Dallas contract to find a team with serious postseason ambitions. After winning four championships with the Golden State Warriors alongside Stephen Curry, Thompson believes Miami can give him another chance to compete at the highest level.

His arrival also addresses one of Miami's biggest needs: perimeter shooting. Thompson joins a revamped roster featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, while also reuniting with former Warriors teammate Andrew Wiggins. The Heat have added further shooting through Tim Hardaway Jr. as they look to build a team capable of challenging for the title.

Thompson enters the new season as one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history. He ranks fourth on the league's all-time made-three list and holds the NBA record for most three-pointers in a single game, with 14. He is also only 74 made threes away from passing former Heat guard Ray Allen for third place on the career list.

Spoelstra has welcomed the veteran enthusiastically, praising Thompson's championship experience, basketball intelligence and commitment on both ends of the floor. The Heat coach believes the 36-year-old can contribute well beyond his shooting ability.

Thompson, meanwhile, sees his Miami move as an opportunity to prove he can still make a major difference for a winning team. With the Heat's new-look roster generating plenty of attention, he is eager to get started and believes the team's potential is enormous.

Klay Thompson Embraces Miami Heat Move as He Targets Another NBA Championship

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