The Miami Heat just got their sharpshooter they have been coveting the entire Summer. The Heat organization announced the signing of four-time NBA champion and five-time All-Star Klay Thompson after he cleared waivers following a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks.
Thompson is the latest high-profile piece on a completely revamped Miami roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The deal is a two-year agreement in the $11.5–13 million range with a player option on the second season. Miami made Thompson their top free-agent priority once the Antetokounmpo trade went through.
The numbers speak for themselves. Thompson ranks fourth all-time in three-pointers made with 2,899. He sits roughly 75 makes behind Ray Allen for third place on that list. Career-wise he’s a 19.6-points-per-game scorer who has drained threes at a 40.9 percent clip. Last season in Dallas he averaged 11.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 21.7 minutes while shooting 38.3 percent from deep. The efficiency from Thompson has dipped from his Golden State days. However, Klay is a remarkable shooter still. He should be able to flourish in the Heat’s offense this coming season.
Thompson will join a wing group that already includes Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Pelle Larsson. Erik Spoelstra now has another veteran who does not need the ball in his hands to impact winning. Spoelstra will also be able to have a much-needed shooter at his disposal. The Heat are clearly constructing a roster designed to compete deep into the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Training camp is around the corner. The new-look Heat just got a whole lot more dangerous from beyond the arc. Klay Thompson is officially a member of the Miami Heat.
