Miami Heat reportedly make $7M Mavericks' Klay Thompson decision in pursuit of 4-time champion

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Miami Heat reportedly make $7M Mavericks' Klay Thompson decision in pursuit of 4-time champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Heat have had a very successful offseason, highlighted by their trade for former Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Miami is not done making moves and continues looking for ways to build a stronger roster around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

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The Heat missed out on a potential reunion with LeBron James, but they have now turned their attention toward another NBA champion. Miami has emerged as a team interested in acquiring four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson.

“Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days. The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.

The pursuit of Thompson has quickly intensified, and the veteran sharpshooter has become one of Miami’s top priorities.

“They hope not. The Miami Heat's number one priority right now is to acquire shooting. And they found their No. 1 target for that...Klay Thompson. The problem is Klay Thompson has one year left on his Mavs contract so they're exploring whether they can trade for him, whether this could end up in a buyout, we'll see over the next several weeks,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.

The biggest question surrounding Thompson was whether Miami would pursue a trade or wait for a potential buyout. It now appears the Heat have decided to remain patient and wait for that opportunity.

“The Heat are waiting on Klay Thompson to secure a buyout from the Mavericks instead of trading for him, per Miami Herald. Miami will not use their $7 million remaining on the mid-level exception to keep it available for Klay,” NBA Evan Sidery wrote.

Miami is fully committed to pursuing Thompson and is willing to be patient while waiting for his buyout. The only risk is that another team could potentially step in and trade for Thompson before he becomes available.

The Heat are preserving their financial flexibility to show Thompson that he is a priority. Miami desperately needs more perimeter shooting, and Thompson would immediately provide exactly that for a team looking to contend.

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