Mavericks' best hope to trade Klay Thompson remains clear

The Dallas Mavericks continue to field trade offers for Klay Thompson ahead of the 2026-27 season, and their best chance to trade the five-time All-Star remains clear: a deal with the Miami Heat. Miami has shown serious interest in acquiring Thompson this offseason, and this interest remains, according to a recent report.

Heat still have interest in a Klay Thompson trade

While the Heat would obviously prefer a buyout so they can sign Thompson in free agency rather than giving up assets to get him, the Mavericks have not shown any interest in making such a move. They prefer to trade him, and the Heat remain at the top of the list of teams that could make a trade for him. Miami desperately needs more shooting on the roster after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Thompson would be the perfect fit.

"Among the few suitors with interest in Thompson, the Miami Heat have long stood out as the team with the most motivation to add one of the league's all-time best 3-point shooters," ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported.

Miami isn't the only team that wants him

While Siegel added that the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have shown interest in Thompson, both teams would only want him if he were bought out.

The Lakers were interested in signing Thompson in 2024 before he ultimately signed with Dallas in free agency, and Thompson spent the first 13 years of his career (he missed back-to-back seasons with injuries) with the Warriors. Both teams would be good fits for the 36-year-old sharpshooter, as he could reunite with Luka Doncic in Los Angeles or rejoin the team he won four championships with, but a roadblock stands in the way of either team landing him.

Why a Mavericks-Heat trade makes sense for both teams

The Lakers and Warriors don't want to trade for Thompson, and the Mavericks don't want to buy him out. This leaves the Heat as Dallas' best hope to get value back for the four-time champion.

The Mavs don't seem like they're going to budge when it comes to buying out Thompson, and rightfully so. He still has gas left in the tank after averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting 38.7 percent from three for Dallas over the last two seasons, and a team is bound to give up some value to bring him in due to the shooting and veteran leadership he provides.

It also helps that he's on an expiring contract, and the Heat could end up making an offer for the veteran shooting guard if they get desperate enough for shooting. Thompson remains one of the best veteran shooters in the NBA when he gets hot, and he could certainly help them in their quest for another NBA championship alongside Antetokounmpo.

A Mavericks-Heat trade for Thompson would make sense for both sides, as Dallas could gain some draft capital or a flier on a young player while Miami would get the shooter they need. Thompson has made it clear that he prefers to play for a contender at this stage in his career, and with the Mavericks in a mini-rebuild, their timelines no longer match up.

Dallas still has plenty of time to find a deal for Thompson, and as things stand now, the Heat feel like their best chance to receive some value back for him.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow