The Miami Heat have acquired a piece they desperately need: 36-year-old Klay Thompson, a former NBA champion and one of the greatest 3-point shooters in league history.
Thompson, who was traded to the Heat from the Dallas Mavericks, brings a wealth of experience and skill to Miami. The four-time NBA champion has made more than 200 3-pointers in a season 11 times in his career, and last season, he hit .387 of his 3s while averaging just under 13 points and 25 minutes per game.
Miami Heat President Pat Riley hailed Thompson as "one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA" and praised his all-around abilities on both ends of the court. Riley added that Thompson's shooting skill is just one aspect of his game, as he is also a relentless defender.
Thompson's career has been defined by his long-range shooting, with 2,899 3-pointers ranking him fourth all-time in the NBA. He played alongside Stephen Curry for 13 seasons, forming the "Splash Brothers" who spearheaded the Golden State Warriors' four titles from 2015 to 2022.
In a league where about 43% of shots come from behind the circle, Miami needs a player like Thompson to provide a much-needed boost to their 3-point shooting. The Heat were in the middle of the pack last season, finishing 15th in 3s attempted and made, and the departure of Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez, and Norman Powell left them in need of another deep threat.
Thompson's addition to the Heat may also be influenced by his Bahamian ancestry, with the island nation just a short flight from Miami. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound guard is expected to fit perfectly into his role as an all-around player at both ends of the court.
Thompson's career has been split into two parts: pre-injury and post-injury. He missed more than two seasons after tearing his left ACL in June 2019 and right Achilles in November 2020, and his former coach, Steve Kerr, said the player who returned midway through the 2021-22 season was not the same.
After starting all 72 games with the Mavericks two years ago, Thompson was used primarily off the bench last season, with his minutes dipping from about 27 to 22 a game and his scoring dropping from 14.0 to 11.7. For the first time in his career, Thompson shot under 40% (.393) from the field in 2025-26.
Now, it's up to the Heat to find the best way to maximize Thompson's abilities. With Thompson on board, Miami becomes a more formidable team on the perimeter, and the Heat's chances of making a deep playoff run just got a significant boost.
The Heat are expected to unveil Thompson at a press conference in the coming days, where he will likely discuss his new role with the team and his expectations for the upcoming season.
Source: Yahoo Sports