Miami Heat target Klay Thompson buyout, keep Zach LaVine as fallback

The Miami Heat have adopted a patient strategy to acquire veteran sharpshooter Klay Thompson, waiting for a potential buyout with the Dallas Mavericks rather than pursuing a trade. Because the Heat's roster and salary cap were reshaped after the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster, only three players—Nikola Jović, Davion Mitchell and Bobby Portis—carry contracts that could match Thompson’s salary in a one‑for‑one deal. The preferred route would see Thompson give back roughly $7 million of his contract, become a free agent, and then sign with Miami using the remainder of the team's mid‑level exception.

Dallas has consistently declined to grant a buyout, with NBA insider Jake Fischer noting, “The word has been consistent, though, that Dallas does not want to buy out Klay Thompson.” Meanwhile, the Heat also monitor Zach LaVine, a two‑time All‑Star whose $49 million player option makes him difficult to trade. Sacramento Kings insider James Ham said LaVine’s future is uncertain and that a buyout could be possible, adding, “They haven’t promised him a starting job… all bets are off if you opt in.” The Heat could apply the same buyout‑focused approach to LaVine if he reaches free agency, adding proven scoring without sacrificing existing roster pieces.