The Miami Heat have been heavily linked to Klay Thompson, who is still under contract with the Dallas Mavericks. However, if and when they decide to buy him out, the Heat would be interested. That is leaving DeMar DeRozan in limbo. As, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, DeRozan wants more than a minimum, but the Heat are saving their exception for Thompson.
“The Heat has 12 players on standard deals; the 13th would go to Klay Thompson if Dallas buys him out and he agrees to terms,” Jackson wrote. “The 14th could go to a center, with small forward Demar DeRozan and guard Gabe Vincent among others who have received consideration. But DeRozan wants exception money, and the Heat is holding that for Thompson.”
Adding DeRozan would be a solid get for the Heat, but Thompson’s shooting – even at this stage of his career – would be an even better addition to the current roster.
Heat are prioritizing Klay Thompson over DeMar DeRozan
Thompson is a far cry from the player he once was. The player who helped the Golden State Warriors win four rings. The player who has been dubbed the second-greatest shooter of all time. The All-Defensive guy.
But just because the past couple of seasons with the Mavs haven’t quite gone according to plan doesn’t mean he won’t be a good fit with the current Heat roster.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo are great at what they do. Antetokounmpo is a top-five player in the league and Adebayo is one of the best defenders in the league.
Unfortunately for those two players, they have some deficiencies in their game. Neither is an amazing ball-handler, and neither is a great three-point shooter either.
That’s where Thompson could step into the picture and help them out. His three-point shooting would give the Heat some elite floor-spacing, making it harder for teams around the league to send additional pressure at Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, especially on drives.
Obviously, Thompson isn’t prime Thompson anymore. He’s not the best version of himself. But he’s still a more than capable three-point shooter. One of the best in the league, even.
And playing against the floor spacing of Antetokounmpo and Adebayo could help him be even better than he’s been in recent years.
As for DeRozan, he’s just unfortunately not as big a need as Thompson. So, it makes sense why the Heat want to wait to see if Thompson can join them before going in on DeRozan.
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