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The Dallas Mavericks and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson have agreed to part ways through a contract buyout, concluding a turbulent two-year stint that unraveled following the franchise’s shocking mid-season trade of star player Luka Doncic. Thompson is expected to join the Miami Heat upon clearing waivers, potentially becoming available to sign with the team as soon as Sunday, according to league sources.
Thompson’s Dallas experiment deteriorated significantly after the team dealt Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. The acquisition of the three-time scorer—joining Doncic and Kyrie Irving—initially promised sustained contention, but the franchise fell short of playoff qualification in both of Thompson’s seasons. Further complications arose when Irving suffered a torn ACL in his left knee shortly after the Davis trade, while Davis himself was subsequently dealt to the Washington Wizards before last season’s deadline.
The 36-year-old veteran averaged 12.9 points and shot 39 percent from three-point range during his Mavericks tenure, significantly lower than his career averages of 19.6 points per game and 41 percent accuracy from beyond the arc. Thompson missed the playoffs in both of his only Dallas campaigns, matching the total playoff misses from his entire 13-season run with the Golden State Warriors, where he won four NBA championships.
Dallas has undergone a wholesale organizational restructuring in the wake of the Doncic trade. The franchise now features only five remaining players from opening day two years prior, along with new leadership including basketball operations president Masai Ujiri, general manager Mike Schmitz, and head coach Dusty May replacing Jason Kidd. The team recouped dividends from its draft lottery success, using the top overall pick to select Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, who earned Rookie of the Year honors and provided renewed optimism for the franchise.
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