The buyout started with the player's ask, not a surprise pink slip.
ESPN reported Friday that Klay Thompson's buyout from the Dallas Mavericks was initiated after he told the club — coming off a 26-56 season — that he wanted to play for a contender. Dallas and Thompson then agreed to terminate the final year of his contract, a season that still carried a $17.5 million salary, ESPN, the Dallas Morning News, and USA TODAY Sports reported.
The Mavericks announced the buyout Friday afternoon.
Miami's post-Giannis shooting target
ESPN's Shams Charania, citing sources, wrote that Thompson plans to sign a two-year, nearly $13 million contract with the Miami Heat after clearing waivers, with a player option on the second year. ESPN also reported that the Heat made Thompson their top target after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, framing him as perimeter shooting for a roster built around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
The Associated Press separately reported, via a person familiar with Thompson's plans who spoke anonymously because he has not revealed the detail publicly, that he intends to sign with the Heat once he clears waivers and may be able to sign as early as Sunday if unclaimed. Should treat that as sourced intent, not a completed free-agent signing.
USA TODAY Sports likewise said a person with direct knowledge confirmed Miami is a very attractive option and one of Thompson's top choices, again on anonymity. None of those outlets reported a completed waiver clearance or a finalized Heat contract.
What Dallas gets in return for the exit
The Dallas Morning News stressed camp roster math: the buyout leaves Dallas at 15 standard contracts entering September training camp, matching the league maximum for the regular season. After Thompson, only Kyrie Irving (34) and Caleb Martin (31) remain 30 or older on the Mavericks, the Morning News wrote.
Masai Ujiri's statement, printed by the AP, ESPN, and the Morning News, called Thompson one of the great players and competitors of his generation and said the organization is grateful. General manager Mike Schmitz, on 1310 The Ticket, told the Morning News he was "thankful" for Thompson's stint and would not detail whether Dallas tried to steer his next destination.
