Now that the dust has begun to settle, it's been learned that Klay Thompson gave up $9.8 million in his buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks. Sure, he'll make some of that back with his two-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Heat, but if it wasn't clear before, it sure is now.
Thompson really wanted to be a member of the Heat.
Not only did Thompson take the brunt of the burden in the buyout, but he also wasted little time in choosing where he'd land next. This is one of those situations that was already decided, perhaps even before the full wheels were in motion.
More than anything, this is just another layer of evidence that proves how much things have shifted in Miami for the Heat.
Heat have changed their perception across the league in one summer
Heading into this offseason, there's an argument to be made that morale was at an all-time low for the Heat. They were coming off a Play-In Tournament appearance for the fourth year in a row and watched as the Charlotte Hornets knocked them out of the postseason.
It was a disappointing showing that probably was for the best, but it was an all-around embarrassing season from beginning to end. But all of that has shifted with one offseason.
Starting off with the trade for Giannis, the Heat have successfully shifted the narrative around their franchise. It started with Giannis, but it was bookended by the signing of Thompson. A move that the Heat were anticipating, probably because of how badly Thompson wanted to be in Miami.
Even though it was never truly publicly reported, that's probably what was being relayed behind the scenes.
Thompson desperately wanted to be a part of what the Heat were building. Miami doesn't just give Thompson the ability to join a contender, but it also gives him a fresh new chapter. It's the breath of fresh air that he thought he was getting when he signed with the Mavericks a few years ago (after leaving the Golden State Warriors).
Things didn't start off great for Thompson in Dallas and completely fell off the rails as soon as Luka Doncic was traded. In Miami, he has the opportunity to right a wrong.
Plus, it's hard to blame him for embracing the opportunity to play alongside Giannis and Bam Adebayo. With this latest bit of reporting, it's pretty clear that this is something he wanted quite badly, too.
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