Since the Miami Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the biggest questions surrounding this roster has been simple: outside of Giannis and Bam Adebayo, who is going to consistently get a bucket? More importantly, who is going to provide the shooting necessary to create space around two players who do so much of their damage inside?
Well, Miami may have just found its answer.
Mr. Game 6 himself, Klay Thompson, is expected to join the Miami Heat.
The Dallas Mavericks officially reached a buyout agreement with Thompson, ending his two-year stint in Dallas. Once he clears waivers, Thompson is expected to sign with Miami and join a team that already has championship aspirations.
Let’s make one thing clear immediately. This isn’t the same Klay Thompson who was once one of the best two-way players in basketball. After suffering both a torn ACL and a torn Achilles during his career, along with now being 36 years old, it would be unfair to expect him to defend at the level he did during the Warriors dynasty.
But Miami doesn’t need that version of Klay Thompson.
They need the shooter. And that part of his game is still very much alive.
One of the Greatest Shooters Ever
Klay is coming off the worst statistical scoring season of his career, averaging 11.7 points per game in 69 appearances for Dallas. But look beyond the scoring average and one number immediately stands out: Thompson still shot 38.3% from three while making 2.9 threes per game.
That’s after a career in which he has shot 40.9% from behind the arc. For most players, shooting 38% from three would be considered an excellent season. For Klay Thompson, we look at it and wonder what happened because of the ridiculous standard he established during his prime.
That’s exactly why this move makes so much sense for Miami. Imagine trying to build a defense around stopping Giannis attacking the rim while Bam operates inside and around the paint. Defenses naturally want to collapse toward the basket.
Now put Klay Thompson behind the three-point line.
Are you leaving him open? Good luck.
Klay doesn’t need the ball in his hands for 15 seconds to make an impact. He can move without the basketball, come off screens, relocate around the perimeter and punish defenses for helping elsewhere. That’s exactly the type of player you want next to Giannis.
Miami Doesn’t Need Prime Klay
There will inevitably be people who look at Klay’s age and recent production and dismiss the move. I think that’s looking at this completely wrong.
Miami isn’t bringing in Klay Thompson and asking him to become a 22-point-per-game All-Star again. They aren’t asking him to chase the opposing team’s best guard around the court for 40 minutes every night. They already have their superstars.
What they need from Klay is much simpler: space the floor, hit open shots, provide veteran leadership and, when the moment comes, don’t be afraid of it.
Few active players understand championship basketball better than Klay Thompson. This is a four-time NBA champion who spent more than a decade playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green during one of the greatest dynasties basketball has ever seen. He has played in enormous playoff games, taken championship-winning shots and experienced just about everything the postseason can throw at a player.
That matters for a Miami team with one goal.
Don’t Forget Why They Call Him Mr. Game 6
There is a reason the nickname Mr. Game 6 exists.
Klay has produced some legendary playoff performances, but none represents him better than Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City. With Golden State facing elimination on the road, Thompson erupted for 41 points and an NBA playoff-record 11 three-pointers at the time, helping the Warriors erase an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit and force a Game 7.
That’s the player Miami is adding. No, you’re not getting the 2016 version every night anymore, but you’re getting someone who has spent his entire career proving that the moment isn’t going to scare him.
When Miami gets into a playoff series and needs someone to knock down a huge three, Klay Thompson isn’t going to be afraid to shoot it.
A Chance to Be Revitalized
Sometimes a veteran simply needs the right situation. Dallas didn’t work out the way either side hoped. Thompson’s role diminished last season, he started only eight games, and now both sides have agreed it makes sense to move on.
Miami offers something completely different. This is a contender.
Klay isn’t being asked to save the franchise. He doesn’t need to be the first option, second option or potentially even the third option. His job can be focused around the thing he has always done better than almost anybody who has ever touched a basketball.
Shoot it.
And when you surround one of the greatest shooters ever with players who demand as much defensive attention as Giannis and Bam, there are going to be opportunities. A lot of them.
The Rich Get Richer
Miami already made its massive move by acquiring Giannis. This isn’t that kind of transaction. Klay Thompson isn’t arriving as another franchise superstar. He’s arriving as a veteran role player who happens to be one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and owns four championship rings.
That’s a pretty nice role player to have.
If Klay can give Miami efficient shooting, timely buckets and championship experience without being asked to carry an enormous workload, I believe this could revitalize him. And for the Heat, this is exactly the type of move a contender should make.
You have Giannis. You have Bam. Now you’ve added one of the greatest shooters the sport has ever seen to help create space around them.
Mr. Game 6 is heading to South Beach.
And if Miami finds itself playing basketball deep into May and June, don’t be surprised if Klay Thompson has another big shot or two left in him.
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