Mavericks' Klay Thompson trade rumors should put Heat's 6-foot-10 forward on radar

The Miami Heat are in the hunt for Klay Thompson ahead of the 2026-27 season, and according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, adding Thompson is a "priority" for the Heat this offseason. Thompson has been in trade rumors for some time now, and with Miami's need for shooting and genuine interest in the former Splash Brother, the reasons that a deal between the two teams makes sense are easy to see.

The Heat have serious interest in making a move for the four-time NBA champion, whether that's on the buyout market or through a trade. Dallas would obviously prefer a trade, as Thompson still has one year and about $17.5 million left on his contract. Considering that he is one of the greatest shooters of all time, the Mavericks still have a good chance to get value for him. Teams get desperate for shooting all the time, and after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat are one of those teams.

Miami's pursuit of Thompson brings forth an intriguing player the Dallas Mavericks should consider trading for: Nikola Jovic.

Why a Nikola Jovic trade makes sense for the Mavericks

He's one of the few players on the team whom the Heat could trade straight-up for Thompson salary-wise, and if Miami is willing to attach some first-round draft capital to him, the Mavericks should definitely have Jovic on their radar. Dallas' cupboard of draft assets is fairly bare at the moment, and the chance to move a 36-year-old declining asset on an expiring contract for a 23-year-old forward with some promise and at least one first-round pick is at least thought-provoking.

Last season for the Heat, Jovic averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 47 appearances. The 6-foot-10 forward is a solid bench piece thanks to his shooting, playmaking, and skill at his size, and he could carve out a role for himself on the Mavericks if Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz believe in him.

Schmitz and Ujiri have already proven that they like to take swings on young players with high upside, just as they did with Jett Howard and Zaccharie Risacher last week, and that's exactly what they'd be doing in a move for Jovic. His upside is clear, as not many players with his size can handle the ball, knock down shots, and pass as he can, and he was a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

How would Jovic fit in Dallas?

Jovic would have to fight for a role in Dallas' frontcourt, as they're already stacked on the wing, but Ujiri has already shown that he doesn't care much about positional overlap right now. The team is trying to form the best team possible around Cooper Flagg, and Jovic's IQ and versatile offensive skillset would make him a fun fit next to Dallas' new franchise cornerstone.

He likes to push the ball in transition, is skilled off the bounce, and provides reliable spacing when he's at his best. These are all things that would help Flagg's game, as he is a monster in transition and needs spacing around him to fully utilize his slashing. Jovic is also a good alley-oop thrower, and Dallas has several players who love catching lobs on their roster.

A Jovic-Thompson trade comes with risks

The only risk that comes with a Thompson-Jovic swap is his contract. He is under contract for the next four seasons, with an average salary of $15.6 million per season.

That is a steep figure for someone who hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout the first four seasons of his career, and the Mavericks would need to have confidence that he can remain on the court before making a move for him.

Regardless, though, Jovic's potential is intriguing. At 6-foot-10 with a wingspan bigger than seven feet, he has the frame to be a next-generation wing in Dallas' system. Positional size is as important as ever, and with the Mavericks looking to build a roster for the future, Jovic is someone they should consider making a move for if they believe he has another level in his game that he can reach.

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