Mavs' Klay Thompson Trade Reality? Lakers Link Included In Update

The Dallas Mavericks still have a roster move to make.

After matching the New York Knicks' two-year offer sheet for Moussa Cissé, Dallas now has 16 players on standard contracts, meaning one will have to go before the regular season begins.

While several names have surfaced as possibilities, one veteran continues to stand out:

Klay Thompson.

The four-time NBA champion has frequently been mentioned as a potential trade candidate throughout the offseason, and a new report suggests the Mavericks are continuing to explore that possibility.

According to The Athletic's Christian Clark, Dallas has been shopping Thompson but has yet to find a deal.

"The Mavericks have explored his trade market but have yet to find a deal," Clark wrote, citing multiple rival team sources.

READ MORE: Mavs' Naji Marshall Cashes in on Contract Extension After Career-Best Year

That report reinforces what has increasingly appeared to be Dallas' preferred path.

Rather than simply clearing a roster spot, the Mavericks seem intent on finding value for Thompson if they ultimately decide to move on.

It's a notable development after recent reporting connected the veteran sharpshooter to the Miami Heat.

The Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang previously reported that Miami appears willing to remain patient in hopes Thompson eventually becomes available through a buyout agreement. While that scenario would allow the Heat to add one of the league's most accomplished shooters without surrendering assets, Clark's reporting indicates Dallas is still pursuing a trade instead.

Those aren't necessarily conflicting ideas.

The Heat can afford to wait, while the Mavericks can continue gauging Thompson's market. If no suitable trade materializes before the season, Dallas would still have other avenues available to reduce its roster.

For now, though, a trade remains the more tangible outcome.

Clark also reported that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home. He added that the Heat continue to be mentioned around league circles as another potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer.

None of that guarantees a deal is imminent.

What it does confirm is that Dallas hasn't abandoned the idea of moving Thompson despite an otherwise productive offseason under team president Masai Ujiri.

Between hiring Dusty May, reshaping the roster through multiple trades and navigating a crowded frontcourt, Ujiri has transformed much of the Mavericks' roster in just a few months.

One important decision still remains.

If Thompson is indeed the odd man out, Clark's latest reporting suggests the Mavericks are still working to ensure his departure comes through a trade rather than simply letting him walk for nothing.