Klay Thompson has made his priority clear entering the final season of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks: he wants an opportunity to compete deep into the playoffs.
“I want to compete for a championship, not necessarily win one, but just have the chance to go and try and get another one,” Thompson said. “I want to play a role on a team that I want to make a deep playoff run.”
The 36-year-old guard’s comments come amid uncertainty surrounding his future in Dallas and continued interest from the Miami Heat. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami continues to view Thompson as its preferred veteran addition while also monitoring alternatives such as Bradley Beal and DeMar DeRozan.
Thompson is entering the final season of the three-year contract he signed with Dallas and is owed $17.5 million in 2026-27. That contract has made a move to Miami complicated because the Mavericks have little financial incentive to buy him out.
Dallas finished 26-56 last season, 12th in the Western Conference, but remains below the luxury tax line. Marc Stein has reported that the Mavericks are exploring trade possibilities rather than actively pursuing a buyout.
For Miami, that leaves the Heat waiting for Dallas and Thompson to reach a situation that could make a buyout possible. Jackson reported that Miami could potentially use roughly $8 million of its remaining exception money to help facilitate such an agreement if Thompson were to surrender part of his salary.
The Heat have limited flexibility after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis earlier in the offseason. Miami finished 43-39 last season and reached the play-in tournament.
