On Friday evening, it was announced by the Dallas Mavericks that they bought out five-time All-Star Klay Thompson.
“Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization,” said Mavericks President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri. “We have tremendous respect for Klay and all that he has accomplished throughout his career, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Per the statement, on Jan. 15, 2026, the sharpshooter passed Damian Lillard for fourth place on the NBA’s all-time 3-point field goals made list. Thompson currently sits at 2,899 3-pointers made, and he is one of only five players to hit at least 2,800 threes in his career.
Thompson made at least 200 3-pointers in both of his seasons in Dallas, bringing his total number of seasons with 200-plus made threes to 11. He is one of two players in NBA history to notch 10 or more seasons with 200 3-pointers made.
After news broke that Thompson would be bought out of the final year of his contract with the Mavs, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that, once he cleared waivers, he would sign a two-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Heat.
“Klay Thompson plans to sign a two-year, nearly $13 million deal with the Miami Heat after clearing waivers, with a player option in the second season, sources tell ESPN.”
Former Miami Heat guard Jason Williams praised Pat Riley for landing Thompson and shared that he has a lot left in the tank.
“Just what the Heat needed bruh! That’s going to take them to a different level. Klay Thompson has a lot left in the tank! Pat Riley, you done did it again!”
Patrick Beverly shared that he thinks Thompson makes the Heat a different team.
“Miami done found some shooting. They got one of the splash brothers coming down there. He gonna be real good down there. He likes to drive boats and sh*t. Shout out to Klay Thompson man. Miami, very different team. I seen Klay this summer he been cooking, been shooting it well. I like this move!”
Klay Thompson was seen getting some off-season work in at the University of Miami with Justin Zormelo, who is known for basketball player development, training, and consulting. In a clip going viral on X, Thompson is seen showing off his quick release in catch-and-release drills and off-the-bounce drills.
During his two seasons in Dallas, the team as a whole wasn’t healthy enough to make a legit playoff run after reaching the finals but fell short to the Boston Celtics in five games. However, Christian Clark of The Athletic, Thompson never felt sorry for himself during the process.
“(Warriors coach) Steve Kerr used to tell me,” Thompson said, “‘We don’t get paid because it’s fun. You get paid because it’s really hard and you have to deal with those obstacles that come at you.’”
Earlier this summer, Thompson teased the possibility of returning to the Golden State Warriors, where it all began, while at Fanatics Fest New York City.
"Shoot, I don't know," Thompson said while signing a picture. "I got one more year in my deal.
"It would be nice to end it in Golden State."
But ultimately decided to sign with the Miami Heat.
