Klay Thompson's contract bought out by Mavs; Heat's next steps reportedly in progress, according to sources.

In a significant move for both Klay Thompson and the Miami Heat, the veteran guard is set to join the team after successfully clearing waivers following a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. This development was reported by Shams Charania on Friday, marking a new chapter in Thompson's career as he seeks to contribute to a championship contender.

Thompson, who is 36 years old, was in the final year of a contract worth $17.5 million with the Mavericks. The team announced the buyout on Friday afternoon, which came after Thompson expressed his desire to play for a team with championship aspirations. The Mavericks, who struggled last season with a record of 26-56, agreed to the buyout, allowing Thompson to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

The Miami Heat have identified Thompson as a key addition following their recent blockbuster trade for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. With Thompson's impressive shooting ability, particularly from beyond the arc, he addresses a critical need for the Heat as they aim to build a competitive roster around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Over his two seasons with the Mavericks, Thompson averaged 12.9 points per game and boasted a 38.7% shooting percentage from three-point range.

Thompson's career has been marked by significant achievements, including passing Damian Lillard to rank fourth in all-time three-pointers made, with a total of 2,899. He is on track to surpass Hall of Famer Ray Allen, who holds the third spot with 2,973, although he faces a challenging climb to catch up with James Harden and his former teammate Stephen Curry, who lead the list with 3,390 and 4,248 three-pointers, respectively.

The Mavericks expressed their gratitude towards Thompson in a statement from president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri. "Klay is one of the great players and competitors of his generation, and we are grateful for everything he brought to the Mavericks organization," Ujiri stated. He acknowledged Thompson's contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors, highlighting the respect the organization holds for the accomplished player.

Thompson's journey began with the Golden State Warriors, where he spent 13 seasons and earned five All-Star selections and four championship titles. His tenure with the Warriors was marred by injuries, including Achilles and knee issues that sidelined him for consecutive seasons. Now, as he embarks on this new chapter with the Heat, Thompson aims to reclaim his status as a top competitor in the league.