Klay Thompson has been stuck at the Dallas Mavericks over the last 18 months since the bombshell Luka Doncic trade, and the Golden State Warriors legend wants nothing more than a return to meaningful basketball deep in the playoffs.
It’s that distinct wish that gives the Miami Heat a clear edge over the Warriors if Thompson was to eventually secure a buyout with the Mavericks, with the 36-year-old’s future remaining up in the air over halfway through the offseason.
Klay Thompson’s championship wish gives Heat clear edge over Warriors
Speaking recently on a stream with PlaqueBoyMax, Thompson made his wish known after missing out on the playoffs in each of the past three years, including in his only two seasons with the Mavericks after departing the Warriors in the 2024 offseason.
"I want to compete for a championship. Not necessarily win one, but just like 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, whether it's this season or next season. But that's really my only goal."
If Thompson prioritizes winning and a return to the playoffs over anything else, Golden State aren’t necessarily in a great position to offer that to their former sharpshooter following an underwhelming summer. The Warriors missed on LeBron James, have failed in their pursuit of big trades, and haven’t signed a single rival player in free agency.
The Heat may have also missed out on James, but that was only after already completing a blockbuster trade for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokunmpo. In a loaded but still more open Eastern Conference, Miami have a pathway to contending that Golden State simply don’t appear to have in the West.
It’s not as if Thompson would be benchwarmer either. The Heat desperately need elite shooting around the combination of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, which is exactly why they’ve been the team most strongly linked to Thompson over recent weeks.Â
Warriors would be relying on sentimentality to lure Klay Thompson homeÂ
Golden State don’t really have an edge over Miami aside from sentimentality. Thompson could undoubtedly return and play a big role for the Warriors, but there’d be no promise of a starting spot when Brandin Podziemski and De’Anthony Melton are arguably better options.
The Warriors do have the roster spots available if Thompson was to secure a buyout, but their place just under the second tax apron only permits them to give out veteran minimum contracts which Thompson may not be willing to accept quite yet.Â
Perhaps sentimentality and a heart-warming reunion is enough for the Warriors to win the Thompson sweepstakes if he hits free agency, but that requires the Mavericks to first change their stance from their current desires of a trade.
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