Klay Thompson's Dallas chapter ended Friday with a contract buyout, a move that lands differently for Bay Area audiences who followed his 13 seasons and four championships with the Golden State Warriors before the 2024 sign-and-trade.
The Associated Press, ESPN, the Dallas Morning News, and USA TODAY Sports reported that Thompson and the Mavericks agreed to terminate the final season of his deal, a year that still carried a $17.5 million salary. Thompson has not cleared waivers and has not signed a new contract.
Warriors résumé, then the Dallas exit
Thompson spent his first 13 NBA seasons with Golden State, winning four titles and making five All-Star teams, the wires reported. Friday's news does not add a Warriors reunion offer, a front-office reaction from Golden State, or any Bay Area signing path — preferred sources did not report those items.
What they did report is the end of the Dallas stint: two seasons, no playoff series, and a buyout of the final year. ESPN said Thompson told the 26-56 Mavericks he wanted a contender and that Miami became a top target after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade.
The waiver clock and the Heat intention
ESPN's Shams Charania, citing sources, reported a planned two-year, nearly $13 million Heat deal after waivers, with a player option on year two.
The AP, citing a person familiar with Thompson's plans who spoke on condition of anonymity because he has not said so publicly, reported that he intends to sign with Miami once he clears waivers and that, if unclaimed, he may be able to sign as early as Sunday.
The buyout is agreed. The waiver process is pending. A Heat signing is expected after that process — not completed.
Dallas production and the all-time threes list
Across two Dallas seasons Thompson appeared in 141 games with 80 starts and averaged 12.9 points on 40.3% shooting and 38.7% from three, the Dallas Morning News reported. The AP put the same scoring average at 12.9 points and about 39% from three against career marks of 19.6 points and 41% from deep.
