Overview
- After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat made outside shooting their top priority and identified Klay Thompson as their primary target.
- Miami has kept its $7 million mid-level exception available because the front office prefers to sign a buyout candidate rather than rush into a trade.
- Multiple reports and league analysis say the Mavericks are unlikely to simply waive Thompson without compensation, making a trade the more realistic path to acquire him.
- NBA scouts warn Thompson remains a high-level spot-up shooter but is not the two-way player he once was, while DeMar DeRozan would likely need to accept a bench role because of spacing and defensive concerns.
- The Antetokounmpo deal drained Miami’s young assets and draft capital, limiting one-for-one trade offers and pushing the Heat to weigh three-team trades, other veterans like Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal, or waiting until training camp to pivot.