dallasweekly.news framed Friday's Klay Thompson news as a cap-sheet reset, and that is the right first read for Allen Mavericks fans who care how the books look heading into September.
The Dallas Mavericks and Thompson agreed to a contract buyout Friday, according to the Associated Press, ESPN, and the Dallas Morning News. Thompson was due $17.5 million in 2026-27, the final season of his three-year deal. The team announced the move Friday afternoon. He has not cleared waivers, and he has not completed a new contract elsewhere.
What ESPN and the AP put next
ESPN's Shams Charania, citing sources, reported that Thompson plans to sign a two-year, nearly $13 million deal with the Miami Heat after clearing waivers, with a player option on the second year.
The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with Thompson's plans who spoke anonymously because he has not said so publicly, reported that he intends to sign with the Heat once he clears waivers and that, if unclaimed, he may be able to sign as early as Sunday.
Roster side effects Dallas actually published
The Dallas Morning News reported that the buyout puts the Mavericks at 15 standard contracts heading into next month's training camp — the league maximum teams may carry into the regular season — and that after Thompson's departure, Kyrie Irving (34) and Caleb Martin (31) are the only remaining Mavericks who are 30 or older.
Masai Ujiri's statement, carried by the AP, ESPN, and the Morning News, called Thompson one of the great players and competitors of his generation.
