Report: Thompson gave back $9.8 million in buyout

Thompson has shrugged off a slow start to the season and is starting to figure things out. Over the last two games, he has averaged 22 points and 5.5 triples per game while shooting at least 60 percent from the floor. Thompson likely won’t stay this hot, but he’ll have his hot streaks throughout the year. He’ll look to keep it going against the Clippers on Wednesday.

Entering Friday, Thompson was shooting 31.7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three. To say a night like Friday was needed would be an understatement. Against the Pacers, Thompson shot 7-of-12 from beyond the arc, and 25 points is the most he has scored in a game since January 15, as a member of the Mavericks. With neither Giannis Antetokounmpo nor Bam Adebayo offering much perimeter shooting as Miami’s top two offensive options, Thompson needs to hit shots consistently. Friday’s 145-point outburst showed what can happen when he and the other Heat shooters are productive.

Following a rough shooting performance against the Pistons on Friday, Thompson was able to find his shot in this one. He set season highs for points and three-pointers, though it wasn’t enough for them to get their first win of the season. For now, Thompson should continue to start and provide floor spacing. If you’re looking for production outside of triples, it’s best to look elsewhere.

After making two of his three three-point attempts and scoring six points in the first quarter, Thompson did not provide much value in his official Heat debut. While starting was a positive for the veteran guard, he played just 16 minutes. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. (three points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one three-pointer) logged 18 minutes off the bench. Outside of deep leagues where you need three-pointers, you gain little by rostering Thompson.

Blocked shots have never been a huge part of Thompson’s game, so there’s no need to read into his performance against the Pelicans. However, it was good to see the veteran sharpshooter active on the defensive end of the floor. Thompson hasn’t shot well in Miami’s first two preseason games, but starting gives him a chance to return to fantasy relevance in 2026-27.

With a starting lineup that includes two limited perimeter shooters, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, the Heat clearly need players who can provide spacing. They signed Hardaway for that reason, and he had an excellent preseason debut on Saturday. The veteran guard didn’t miss a shot from the field, making all three of his three-point attempts. Klay Thompson (zero points, two rebounds in 13 minutes) was the fifth starter, but it’s unknown if that will hold once the regular season begins. Regardless of what Erik Spoelstra decides, Hardaway could have value for managers in deeper leagues seeking three-point production.

Antetokounmpo’s Heat preseason debut is Miami’s biggest storyline, but Thompson’s fifth-man role also merits mention. He came off the bench for most of his two seasons in Dallas, which may have contributed to the veteran sharpshooter’s failure to provide consistent fantasy value. Thompson is one player expected to provide the perimeter shooting that Miami needs to keep the paint somewhat clear for Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. That would also enhance Thompson’s fantasy outlook, making him a player worth selecting in the latter rounds of standard league drafts.

Shortly after NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Thompson had reached a buyout agreement with Dallas, Shams dropped the news that Thompson was headed to South Beach. Thompson’s final season in Dallas was forgettable, but he’s still an elite shooter, which is exactly what the Heat need to build this team around Giannis Antetokounmpo. There is a chance that Thompson starts alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis and Bam Adebayo, though he should play a significant role regardless. Pelle Larsson may take on a smaller role than anticipated with Thompson in town.

Added via sign-and-trade ahead of the 2024-25 season, Thompson’s first two seasons in Dallas have not gone as planned. While his 38.7 percent mark from three is respectable, that is nearly four percentage points lower than his number with the Warriors. Also, the Mavericks have not been a contender in Thompson’s two seasons, especially after former lead executive Nico Harrison decided to trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers. With 16 players on standard contracts and a new lead executive, Masai Ujiri, calling the shots, it’s unsurprising that the Mavericks would reportedly explore the market for Thompson. In July, it was reported that Miami had interest in Thompson, potentially adding another shooter to play off of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

Even with the signing of Tim Hardaway Jr., the Heat need more wing scoring to supplement a roster now headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. As a result, Thompson is said to be a player of interest to the franchise, despite his struggles over two seasons in Dallas. He is still one of the best perimeter shooters in NBA history and can provide the spacing needed to create cleaner driving lanes for players like Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. It was also noted that the Heat’s interest is not contingent on them signing LeBron James in free agency. However, to make something happen, Thompson would need to be bought out of the final year of his current contract, which is worth $17.5 million.