Miami waits for a buyout gift while talent evaluators warn of Thompson’s declining consistency, leaving Dallas to decide if the veteran sniper still holds trade value.
The Dallas Mavericks would prefer to trade Klay Thompson, but the Miami Heat are hoping the veteran sniper can find his way onto the buyout market.
Miami is quite low on expendable assets after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, so it's hoping Dallas will offer a favor.
That favor would be Thompson, whom the Mavs could pay a portion of the $17.5 million he's still owed, allowing the 36-year-old to choose his next destination, presumably the Heat.
Barring added motivation from Dallas' brass to get Thompson off the roster ... which there isn't at the moment ... the Mavs have no reason to find a quick resolution to this matter.
Acting now would only help the Heat and not benefit the franchise Thompson is currently employed by in any way.
In fact, Dallas may be better off surveying the league's view of Thompson as an asset at this point in his career, because there could be some genuine interest elsewhere.
It's important to remember that Thompson is still a very much a positive asset and not some ready-to-be-discarded former star, even if he isn't one of the best two-way players in the NBA anymore.
But don't just take our word for it. Take it from someone who makes a living from evaluating basketball talent.
“I mean, on a given night, he’ll get you 17 points, maybe. I don’t think it’s going to be as regular, but I don’t think you should have high expectations," an anonymous NBA scout told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "But he’s not through completely. You don’t stick a fork in him yet.”
The scout also told Winderman that, should Thompson hit the open market, his next contract would likely be worth around $5 million.
If Dallas has decided that Thompson is no longer part of its long-term plans following this offseason's overhaul, there's no reason he should be allowed to take his talents to South Beach if the Mavericks are paying for it.
Masai Ujiri is too smart to play Miami's wingman.
Winderman's report shifts the conversation in a different direction, though. Depending on how much Thompson has left in the tank, he could still create an impact in Dallas.
The 2026-27 Mavericks aren't exactly assumed to be title contenders, but rostering an experienced leader with Thompson's championship pedigree remains invaluable.
Many have been operating as if Thompson's exit is more a matter of "when" than "if," which could prove premature if Dallas' brass agrees with the scout Winderman spoke with.
