Mavericks can't afford to make this Klay Thompson mistake as trade rumors swirl

The Dallas Mavericks' roster's biggest outlier is easily Klay Thompson. The franchise's oldest player, at 36, also happens to be a free agent after next season, making him one of Dallas' more expendable players. While the Mavericks are attempting to trade Thompson, no serious suitors have emerged. The Miami Heat have expressed strong interest… but only if the five-time All-Star is bought out, a move that would cost Dallas valuable leverage when patience could ultimately pay off.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line (subscription required), Dallas is, indeed, exploring Thompson's trade market and has shown little interest in buying him out if no suitor emerges. It's the smart approach for the Mavericks, especially considering the Miami Herald's report that the Heat have interest in adding Thompson to bolster their revamped roster. A sign that there could be a legitimate market for the veteran if Dallas remains patient.

The trap for Dallas isn't failing to move Thompson immediately. It's rushing into a buyout and letting a valuable veteran walk for nothing, even though the Mavericks still have time to explore the trade market.

The Klay Thompson buyout trap the Dallas Mavericks must avoid

Aside from Miami, no viable suitors have emerged for Thompson, whether through a trade or a potential buyout, but at this point in the offseason, that doesn't mean the Mavericks won't eventually find a trade partner.

There are still three months until the beginning of the NBA season, and perhaps more importantly, about seven months until the NBA trade deadline. Dallas has plenty of time to assess Thompson's market, and rushing to part ways with one of the best 3-point shooters of all time would simply be an ill-advised move.

With the Heat already registering interest in Thompson, it's reasonable to believe other contenders could eventually emerge as suitors, giving the Mavericks additional leverage.

Mavericks should have more Thompson trade leverage than expected

Buying out Thompson now means losing him for nothing. It creates a roster spot, sure, but why buy out a player with relative value around the league when the Mavericks are roughly $17 million below the luxury tax, and Thompson could still be a valuable contributor in Dallas next season?

There really isn't a good one. A team like the Heat could decide it's worth upping the ante and trading for Thompson rather than risking another contender swooping in to sign him. And if that doesn't happen (at least not in the offseason), who cares? The Mavericks can revisit his market closer to the trade deadline, when contenders are often more aggressive in improving their squads. A half-season flier on the 36-year-old is just good business.

With rumors that Thompson could get traded this offseason floating around, it could be easy for Dallas to give in and allow the five-time All-Star to sign with a team with championship aspirations. But patience is key here. As the season nears and teams' needs become clearer, it's likely the Mavericks will begin receiving offers for Thompson worth mulling over.

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