Klay Thompson was ice cold in his first preseason with the Miami Heat, but the four-time NBA champion isn't fazed by his shooting struggles heading into the 2026-27 regular season.
Speaking after Sunday's practice at Kaseya Center, Thompson maintained that he expects to shoot at his usual level once the games "count," brushing aside concerns about being too far over the hill entering his age-36 campaign.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also voiced his confidence in the veteran shooting guard as anticipation builds for Wednesday's season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Brought in over the offseason to help create ***** e around Heat stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo on Miami's revamped roster, Thompson looked out of sorts throughout the preseason, shooting 7-for-26 overall (26.9%) and 3-for-20 from 3-point range (15.0%).
It was a small sample size, as Thompson appeared in four of Miami's five exhibition contests and never played into the second half of any of them as the Heat went 3-2. Still, his shooting blunders went viral on social media, fueling ridicule.

#four #klay

Heat player who will shock NBA world with breakout 2026-27 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's not quite championship-or-bust yet for the Miami Heat, but they're as close to that status as they can get. After all, the expectations for the Heat are through the roof after they brought in two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo via a blockbuster trade. Antetokounmpo has had so much appreciation for the Heat's vaunted culture that landing in Miami was one of the main priorities for him this offseason — with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, doing him a service.
But at the end of the day, the Heat paid a heavy price to bring Antetokounmpo in. They parted ways with Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis to go along with three first-round picks (2026, 2031, and 2033), a first-round pick swap (2030), and a second-round pick (2033).
The Heat did a good enough job of replacing the depth they lost, as they added veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Klay Thompson to serve as floor-spacers in a Giannis-centric offense. Getting Bobby Portis back in the Giannis trade was also an underrated part of that transaction. Moreover, they came to terms with Andrew Wiggins on a contract extension, securing the services of one of their most important role players through at least the 2027-28 campaign.
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#giannis

Heat news: Giannis, Bam Adebayo working out as teammates is a big Miami flex appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The world is yet to find out just what kind of havoc the tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo can wreak on the basketball court together as Miami Heat teammates. But the rest of the NBA has a clear reason to be scared of the duo, which is already building chemistry on the court.
Miami recently shared a video showing the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo and Adebayo going down to work in the gym together.
The Heat pulle off the biggest trade of the NBA offseason, as they won the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. They sent a huge package composed of Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, a couple of future first-round picks, a pick swap and a future second-rounder to the Milwaukee Bucks in July in order to acquire Antetokounmpo and veteran power forward Bobby Portis.
"The Greek Freak" will turn 32 years old in December, but he is very much still at the top of his game. In what turned out to be his final season with the Bucks, the 10-time NBA All-Star averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 ***** ists, while shooting 62.4 percent from the field. He only played in 36 games as he was limited by injuries, but he's healthy now and should be out on the court when the Heat make their 2026-27 NBA season debut.

#heat

Kevin O'Connor is joined by Brady Hawk to break down the Miami Heat, covering the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and big questions about shot creation and roles for new additions like veteran Klay Thompson and rookie Ryan Conwell. Later, Kevin discusses the Denver Nuggets and the five big questions they face at every position in their starting five.
Then, Kevin does a re-draft of the 2016 NBA Draft class, spotlighting some of the biggest risers and hardest fallers including Jaylen Brown, Pascal Siakam, Ben Simmons and Jamal Murray.
(0:31) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Miami Heat
(26:59) NBA Entertainment Rankings: Denver Nuggets
(36:34) 2016 NBA re-draft

#denver #nuggets #entertainment #rankings

Klay Thompson is one half of the Splash Brothers. That's an identity **** ody can erase, no matter where he goes.
He and Stephen Curry tore up the league with their impeccable three-point shooting and turned the Golden State Warriors into a dynasty that won four **** les in less than a decade.
Unfortunately, their partnership had to come to an end. It has been two years since Thompson left the Warriors in hopes of winning another championship.
He has a chance to do that this season after signing with the Miami Heat following a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. Thompson decided to start fresh in the Eastern Conference and join a storied franchise that now boasts a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Heat fans are loving Thompson's arrival. They still expect him to make an impact from beyond the arc.

#stephen #golden

The Heat were ready to offer Tyler Herro a smaller contract extension before the trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tyler Herro is now playing for his hometown team, the Milwaukee Bucks, after seven seasons with the Miami Heat. At one point, it seemed Herro was destined to be a Heat for the rest of his career, but that didn't happen because he was their best trade piece in the 2026 offseason.
After a long wait, the Heat finally have a megastar again in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Before they pulled off the trade, it seemed that the Heat were ready to keep building on their core group, including Herro. That would have involved an extension for Herro, but they were unwilling to give him the max.
Throughout his Heat tenure, Herro always had the support of the front office. Team president Pat Riley saw him as a long-term piece, but when the opportunity to trade for Giannis came up, it was hard to deny the package that the Bucks wanted.
Before that, he was also involved in the potential Damian Lillard package back in 2023, but that did not lead to anything. Herro was superb for the Heat, as he had two trips to the NBA Finals and an All-Star nod to be proud of. However, his time came to an end after the Antetokounmpo trade.

#team

Victor Wembanyama gets a big shout-out from French UFC fighter Ciryl Gane originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Over the past decade, it has become clear that basketball is one of the biggest sports in the world. The rise of international players is a testament to this because there has not been an American regular-season MVP since James Harden's MVP in 2018.
Players like Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been dominant as non-American players. However, it seems San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama is ready to carry the torch moving forward as the best player to come out of France, a country that's well-known for producing some elite athletes.
As the current UFC interim heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane knows what it's like to succeed. He is, in fact, a two-time holder of that **** le, so he is quite successful in his mixed martial arts career. The orthodox heavyweight striker stands out in the UFC with his natural talent and light feet despite being a 6'4" fighter.
Just like Gane, Wembanyama shares some traits with his fellow Frenchman. Being a giant who can move light on their feet is certainly a good trait to have, but it matters the most in a sport like basketball.

#ciryl #fighter

The Miami Heat are shaping up to be an exciting team in the Eastern Conference next season. While the addition of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis ensures this, the development of others, such as Pelle Larsson, also demands attention.
Pelle Larsson has positioned himself as a reliable two-way **** et off the bench. Like most players on the Heat roster, Larsson has shown a deep commitment to his role, which typically involves playing physical defense and contributing with hustle plays. But is he due for a larger role in the upcoming campaign?
According to Sports Illustrated's Major Passons, he certainly is. However, Passons also believes Pelle Larsson's growth this offseason could see him emerge as a candidate for the Most Improved Player award next season. Passons elaborated on this notion in his article, writing:
"No Heat player has won the Most Improved Player award since 1997, when center Isaac Austin won the award. In nearly 30 years, no Heat player has claimed this **** le, but can Pelle Larsson end the streak? I think yes, well, at least he will have a shot."
"I think it ultimately depends on how people vote for the award," Passons continued. "If they give it to a player that goes from a good young player to a star or a star to a superstar, then he might not be realistic. On the flip side, if they vote how I believe the award should be voted and give it to a guy that improves his game and translates to winning, not just his stats, then he has a shot."

#player #passons

LeBron James teased a coming partnership with Polymarket on Saturday, becoming the latest name on a growing list of celebrities getting into business with the controversial prediction market industry.
"Welcome to Polymarket HQ. Coming soon," wrote James, captioning a 14-second video social media video that depicts him in an office elevator with floors labeled with names like "politics," "crypto," "culture" and "weather." The video ends with James smiling as he exits on the "sports" floor.
No other information about James' partnership with Polymarket has been disclosed, though the Athletic reports that it received a release from the platform saying more announcements will come Tuesday.
The partnership makes James the latest celebrity to tie themselves to the prediction market industry. The four-time NBA champion and founder of the SpringHill Company production banner, who is entering a record 24th season in the league, would be the first NBA athlete to sign a partnership with Polymarket. However, former champion and newly minted Miami Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo announced a direct investment in rival platform Kalshi back in February. Additionally, tennis star Maria Sharapova and soccer legend Lionel Messi have both signed deals with Polymarket and Kalshi, respectively.
Prediction markets have looked to expand their profile outside of sports as well. In June, Timothée Chalamet was featured in a one-minute ad for Kalshi. Back in January, the Golden Globes broadcast featured an on-air partnership with Polymarket, displaying win probabilities for nominees that users could buy and sell predictions for and against on the platform.

#polymarket

The Eastern Conference is stacked right now following all the massive changes that happened this summer. The Chicago Bulls may not be part of the conversation, but Josh Giddey wants them to be.
The Bulls underwent changes of their own, and it started before the February trade deadline. They traded Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets and Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They failed to make the playoffs and quickly got to work this summer, starting with the hiring of Tiago Splitter as their new head coach. Splitter replaced Billy Donovan, who had been with the team for six seasons.
The Bulls selected Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and later landed Norman Powell in free agency.
They don't have marquee signings like the Philadelphia 76ers, who acquired Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, or the Miami Heat, who traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Still, Giddey believes the Bulls are capable of surprising people.

#Bulls #giddey #traded #conference

The Milwaukee Bucks has moved on from Giannis Antetokounmpo and team officials admitted they are about to undergo a big transition.
This transition starts this summer and they are doing it together as the team posted a summer camp with almost of its players for the 2026-27 season. Players got their fans feeling excited for the new season as they post their workout together.
First, it was forward Kyle Kuzma. Then, Myles Turner posted a short clip of him and teammates having fun in Wisconsin.
Turner's video featured themselves lifting weights, doing on-court drills, playing billiards, going fishing, and eating in restaurants.
It was meant to hype their fans but some see another thing. They looked back to the times they had Antetokounmpo and wondered how they did not see the same initiative from their two-time MVP.

#posted #season

As we inch closer and closer to fall (you already took a sip of a Pumpkin Spice something, I know it), we can feel the optimism spreading within the basketball world.
The offseason is full of transactions, moves to improve, and swings to make things … fit. That's the key word. Context, opportunity and how a new acquisition works within what a team does will end up defining how well a transaction ends up being.
It's easy to view moves in a vacuum. Teams need to acquire talent to fit a need, talent needs an opportunity to work, etc. But my curiosity always forces me to dig a little deeper: Maybe adding this player did not address every weakness a team has, but how did it make them stronger? What can teams do with these additions that they could not do last year?
So with that in mind, I present to you my six pack of underrated fits with NBA training camps opening later this month.
This is less about Klay Thompson returning to All-Star form, less about Klay being Ray Allen to Miami 2.0, and more about the fit between the human, the player and the franchise. It's clear Thompson wants to compete at a high level, and the Heat are always going to work to compete at a high level, especially after cashing in their chips to get Giannis Antetokounmpo. Erik Spoelstra has a knack for understanding his roster, knowing where his team needs to go and getting the most out of his roster. It feels like a natural meeting of the minds.

#klay #teams #Opportunity

Klay Thompson's father has warned the critics of his son ahead of the new season.
Following a disappointing two-year stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Klay Thompson agreed to a contract buyout with the Western Conference side.
At 36, Thompson is undoubtedly out of his prime, but it didn't take long for the 4x NBA champion to find his next destination.
Thompson quickly agreed to a two-year deal with the Miami Heat as he is all set to become teammates with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Opus Bank

#thompson #following #dallas

Heat predicted sign $37M injury-prone veteran, ex-Lakers reject that Bam Adebayo is pleading for originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat are having quite the offseason, and it has only gotten better as the summer has gone on. Miami is looking to make serious noise this season and is in a good position after its latest acquisitions.
The Heat have added several veterans who should eventually develop strong chemistry after spending more time together. One player Miami's center, Bam Adebayo, reportedly wants the team to bring back is Gabe Vincent.
"As the Miami Heat continue to explore ways to build out the supporting cast around Giannis Antetokounmpo in year one, Gabe Vincent is a name that has naturally come up. And, according to some recent reporting, he's a former Heat player that Bam Adebayo would love to see get a second chapter with the organization," AUCH's Michael Saenz wrote.
In a recent report, NBA insider Brett Siegel mentioned that a Vincent reunion with Miami is likely.

#sporting #recent #Lakers

Klay Thompson sets high expectations for himself and the Heat ahead of the 2026-27 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Klay Thompson is a four-time champion from his stint with the Golden State Warriors. With that kind of success, it is normal to want more, and Thompson believes that it will come with the Miami Heat. He just joined the team, and he is already setting high expectations for himself and his teammates.
Considering the Heat are always a team to watch in terms of ****** le contention, this could be the year they fully come back to that status. For a few years now, they have been toiling away in mediocrity. Now, they have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thompson joining the roster ahead of the big 2026-27 season.
For a long time, people have gotten used to the Heat being a successful team. Of course, Dwyane Wade is a big reason for that, as he was part of all three Heat championships. Since they last won in 2013, the Heat have been competing, but they have never taken the top spot on the podium.
They have been the runner-up three times since that last ****** le, in 2014, 2020, and 2023. It has been a tough few years for the Heat, especially since they had to go through the Play-In Tournament multiple times. They managed to do so successfully in 2023 by reaching the NBA Finals, but they still lost.

#sporting #high

How Pelle Larsson impressed Klay Thompson ahead of his decision to join the Miami Heat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo was a big deal for the Miami Heat because it took away a lot of their depth. Players like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel'el Ware were superb during their time in Miami, but it also led to some of their teammates getting overlooked.
One of those teammates is Pelle Larsson, who has been a rock-solid player over the past few years. Thankfully for Larsson, he will get a bigger role this season, and he is already getting rave reviews from players who are just becoming teammates with him.
As one of the NBA's most experienced players, Thompson has a unique perspective on the league. He loves seeing role players shine, as he played with those kinds of players throughout his career, especially during his time with the Golden State Warriors.
Thompson knows what winning basketball looks like, and he sees that with how Larsson plays and works behind the scenes. Heat fans have been talking about Larsson for a long time, and how he fits into their system as a hardworking player.

#time

The Miami Heat welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo's newest teammate, Klay Thompson, on Tuesday. Thompson signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract to join the Heat ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. His addition gives Miami a better shot at contending for a championship.
On Tuesday, he was officially introduced to the media, and he spoke about how being in Miami was a dream come true. Before Thompson joined the Heat, he was already linked as a potential buyout candidate. The team viewed him as a key acquisition because of his elite outside shooting, which they needed after landing Antetokounmpo.
During his introductory presser, Thompson was asked about his thoughts on being Antetokounmpo's teammate.
Jul 16, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) is introduced as a new member of the team by Miami Heat president Pat Riley (left) and head coach Erik Spoelstra (right) during a press conference at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
"Giannis is one of the best players of all time," Thompson said.

#klay

Luka Doncic's unofficial Los Angeles Lakers minicamp, which he held in his native Slovenia, is now over. All of his teammates took part in that minicamp, except for rookie Cameron Carr, who was required to attend an NBA rookie orientation.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, a big man the Lakers signed earlier this summer, attended the minicamp, but he left early in order to play for his native Georgia in the qualifier games for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. On Monday, Georgia took on Israel in an exhibition game ahead of the actual qualifier contests.
He didn't disappoint, as he dropped 20 points, six rebounds, six ****** ists and three steals. Thanks in large part to him, Georgia shoved past Israel for a 101-90 victory.
Georgia's first official qualifier contest of the second round will take place on Friday against Montenegro. Three days later, it will take on Greece, sans Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Slovenia is also vying for a spot in the FIBA World Cup, but Doncic already said that he won't play in any qualifying games this summer.

#fiba #Israel #native

In the past couple of months of the NBA offseason, we have seen teams fall out of championship contention, and others rise into the conversation. In an offseason highlighted by multiple blockbuster deals and a superteam formed in Philadelphia, the majority of the big moves had already been made. Yet, there were still a few All-Stars to be claimed.
For the most part, NBA fans had an idea of who the contenders were going to be this season. That was until Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan each found new homes for the upcoming 2026-27 NBA season.
MORE: 3 NBA teams that are overrated heading into the 2026-2027 season
Mar 30, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) looks on from the bench during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Heat made news that shook the NBA world earlier this offseason, trading draft capital and young talent for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. This immediately put the Heat into contention, yet they had no significant talent outside of their frontcourt duo of Giannis and Bam Adebayo.

#thompson #giannis

Jeff Teague sees the Miami Heat as a better contender than the Philadelphia 76ers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 offseason has been quite eventful for most Eastern Conference teams. At the start of the offseason, the Miami Heat made a big splash by finally trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. As the superstar for the Heat, he has improved their chances of succeeding.
Now, the Philadelphia 76ers may have usurped them with the signing of LeBron James and the trade for Jaylen Brown. Despite that, there are people who believe the Heat are the top team, especially with the latest addition of Klay Thompson.
Of course, the Eastern Conference goes beyond the 76ers and the Heat because they also have the defending champions, the New York Knicks. For a lot of people, the Knicks are the favorites, especially with the winning pedigree they now have.
For former All-Star guard Jeff Teague, he believes that the Heat are ready to compete with the other two teams. In fact, he believes that the Heat are the better team compared to the projected rivals they are having in the Eastern Conference.

#heat #eastern #better

After two seasons in the Lone Star State with the Dallas Mavericks, Klay Thompson is on the move again. Following a buyout with the Mavericks, Thompson is set to join the Miami Heat. On Sunday, the Heat officially announced the addition of the former Golden State Warriors sharpshooter.
In two seasons with the Mavericks, Thompson averaged 12.9 points on 40.3% shooting from the field to go along with 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 ***** ists per game. Thompson shot 38.7% from long distance on 7.7 attempts from the 3-point line per contest in Dallas.
Along with the addition of Thompson, the Heat made a splash in free agency with one of the blockbuster moves of the offseason, acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The four-time NBA champ will now suit up alongside Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in a new-look edition of the Heat.
Following Miami's move to get Thompson to South Beach, the NBA world on social media caught fire with different reactions. Here's a look at what fans and ***** ysts were saying on Twitter about Thompson joining the Miami Heat.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

#dallas

Why Heat fans are ecstatic after Giannis Antetokounmpo's latest post on Instagram originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As the new Miami Heat superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo knows he has a big season ahead of him in the 2026-27 campaign. Considering that everyone has expected him to leave the Milwaukee Bucks for a long while now, they have even bigger expectations for him to deliver on that hype.
While it seems like a huge challenge for any player to overcome, Giannis seems giddy to prove everyone wrong. A two-time MVP showing a lot of confidence is nothing new, but he has been quite vocal about how he expects the 2026-27 season to go.
While a lot of people's attention is on the Philadelphia 76ers because of the superteam they have created in the offseason, that should not take away from what the Heat just did. They have gone from being a mediocre team over the past few seasons to becoming a potential contender.
Getting a two-time MVP does that, but it also shows that Giannis himself believes in the project. He is ecstatic to be part of the Heat now, and he will be ready to showcase why he and Bam Adebayo are arguably the best frontcourt partnership in the league.

#Instagram #preferred

Why Klay Thompson is signing with Heat instead of Lakers, Warriors after Mavericks buyout originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After being bought out by the Mavericks on Friday afternoon, Klay Thompson swiftly found a new home for the 2026-27 season.
The sharpshooting guard agreed terms to a deal with the Heat, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 36-year-old is the latest addition to a new-look Miami side spearheaded by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thompson reportedly commanded serious interest from the Heat's front office, emerging as a top target for the franchise after Antetokounmpo's arrival. He should fold nicely into Erik Spoelstra's side, which looked desperate for shooting help last season.
With that, here's what you need to know about Thompson's signing.

#thompson #klay #heat #signing

One of the greatest shooters of all time seemingly won't be available for long.
The Dallas Mavericks and guard Klay Thompson agreed to a buyout Friday, Aug. 21 for the final year of his contract, worth $17.5 million. And though Thompson still has to go through the waivers process, he's expected to sign with the Miami Heat, if not claimed, according to ESPN.
Thompson, 36, is a five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion known for his precision and accuracy as a perimeter shooter. With Miami, he brings much-needed shooting to a roster that underwent an overhaul after the June acquisition of star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.
While the Heat are set to roll out a stout defensive team, perimeter shooting had been one of the clear weaknesses, and Thompson fills that need. Given that Antetokounmpo is a player who commands enormous defensive attention, a shooter like Thompson should presumably have ample ******* e to operate if opposing teams send double-teams and extra pressure toward Antetokounmpo.

#heat #shooting

Lakers get bad news in pursuit of veteran star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a bit of a bind as they try to piece together a post-LeBron James roster. It's not easy losing a franchise star player, one of the main faces of the franchise, after eight years together. So, the Lakers are in need of some big changes.
As the offseason continues, reports have indicated that the Lakers had their eyes on Klay Thompson as a target to get high-level perimeter shooting. He would also add a much-needed veteran presence to their roster.
Those dreams vanished on Friday. NBA insider Shams Charania has revealed that Thompson is "expected to sign with the Miami Heat after he clears waivers upon a contract buyout with the Dallas Mavericks," per sources from ESPN.
That hurts. It's not something the Lakers can't overcome. Missing out on Thompson means a lost opportunity for the Lakers to add a sharpshooter to their lineup. It also strengthens one of their rival teams, which already has stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

#thompson #together #roster #preferred

The Miami Heat have already undergone one of the largest NBA improvements this offseason after winning the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade sweepstakes. However, the Eastern Conference franchise is at it again with another former league champion, Klay Thompson.
The former Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks star is embarking on a new chapter for the 2026-27 season with Miami. In many ways it's a perfect situation for a veteran player joining a team with a lot of young talent.
ESPN's Sham Charania broke the news Friday as Thompson clears waivers following his time in Dallas. The franchise opted for a contract buyout for the league veteran after spending two seasons with the Mavs.
Meanwhile, Thompson won't be expected to be the main scorer given Giannis' presence as well as other players like Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell.
MORE: James Harden joins exclusive club in NBA career earnings

#thompson #heat

This NBA offseason has been an unforgettable one. Both Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been traded. LeBron James is on a new team. So much has happened. While there can only be one NBA champion each season, there are a handful of teams that believe they are best suited for the job. On the other end of that equation are the teams who know they don't have what it takes to win the championship, and that's ok.
Each season, rosters around the NBA change drastically. Players get traded, they sign to a new team, or get drafted. Some teams make good moves, some make bad. Some make a lot, some make none. It all depends on the state of your team. Whether it looks like a good move or a bad move, only time can tell. It happens every year when teams and fans get ahead of themselves, thinking they are better than they truly are.
So while some teams may fit in that boat, let's take a look at teams that seem to be heading in the right direction going into the 2026-27 season.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The fourth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson after he was selected by the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Chicago Bulls have finally begun trending in the right direction, and it all started at the draft lottery. While the Bulls were projected to have around the 9th pick in the 2026 draft, they jumped all the way to the fourth spot and selected Caleb Wilson. A very fortunate beginning to new General Manager Bryson Graham's career. Wilson is exactly what the Bulls needed and what most teams search for. A young player who has star potential that they can build around. In summer league, Wilson looked extremely polished. He is super athletic, proved he can stretch the floor, and truthfully did everything you could ask for in a 20-year-old.

#wilson #around

Heat 'desperate' to sign $298M generational shooter, ex-Warriors future Hall of Famer, 5x All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat have had a disappointing offseason, to say the least, even after adding a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal. The free-agency portion of the summer, however, has gone about as poorly as it possibly could have.
After missing out on several targets, Miami is now heavily interested in Klay Thompson. The Heat have made it clear that bringing in the four-time NBA champion is a major priority.
"If the Mavericks don't find a trade for Klay Thompson, his representation will likely request a buyout. There appears to be mutual interest between the Heat and Thompson, who could maximize his shooting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, plus potentially LeBron James," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
As of now, Thompson is believed to be interested in two potential destinations: the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami. Both teams could be attractive options for the veteran as he considers his next destination.

#heat #Warriors

Jeff Teague believes Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot replicate what Jimmy Butler did in Miami originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After years of struggling with the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now playing for the Miami Heat. This move comes with extra pressure because he has found his way out of his old team, and he sees the Heat as a viable team where he can win.
It is quite challenging to be a star player for the Heat because there is always pressure for a successful franchise. However, it seems there is even more added pressure when he gets compared to a previous star who led the Heat to two Finals appearances.
During his time in Miami, Jimmy Butler was a phenomenon. He was excellent as the star player, especially when he kept helping drag a comparatively lowly Heat team to the later stages of the Playoffs. They were not favorites quite often, but they managed to reach the NBA Finals twice during his tenure.
The 2023 run, in particular, was quite impressive because they were the eighth seed. Reaching the NBA Finals that way was such an impressive achievement, and Butler deserved a lot of credit for being the star player of that Heat side that almost won the ***** le.

#Miami #finals #giannis

Heat hit with massive update for ex-Warriors Klay Thompson after missing out on Bradley Beal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Miami Heat have had a very interesting offseason, especially considering how they started the summer. The offseason began with a blockbuster trade that sent Milwaukee Bucks franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami.
However, since that move, the Heat have not landed another major addition in free agency. Their latest miss came with Bradley Beal, who agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
"Free agent guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million deal to return to the LA Clippers, his representative, Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports, told ESPN on Thursday night. The deal includes a player option in the second season," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
Miami is in desperate need of shooting, especially with Antetokounmpo expected to lead the offense. For quite some time, the Heat have been interested in four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson.

#clippers