Where is Klay Thompson playing? As of October 4, 2026, Klay Thompson is a member of the Miami Heat, where he is preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season after leaving the Dallas Mavericks during the offseason.
Thompson’s move to Miami represents another major chapter in a career that has already included four NBA championships, five All-Star selections and a long run as one of the league’s most recognizable perimeter shooters. After spending two seasons with Dallas, he agreed to a buyout with the Mavericks and joined Miami on a two-year contract.
His arrival gives the Heat another experienced scorer for a roster built around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and Andrew Wiggins. Thompson has also already appeared for Miami during the preseason, giving fans an early look at his role with his new team.
Klay Thompson is playing for the Miami Heat
The current team for Klay Thompson is the Miami Heat.
Thompson joined Miami during the 2026 offseason after his time with Dallas ended. The move placed him on a roster with several established stars and gave the Heat another veteran capable of stretching the floor with his three-point shooting.
He wears No. 11 in Miami and remains one of the league’s most accomplished perimeter shooters.
The move also gives Thompson a fresh opportunity after his two seasons with Dallas. His role in Miami differs from the enormous responsibilities he carried during some of his best seasons with Golden State.
Miami can use him as a complementary scorer who does not need the ball on every possession.
That makes his skill set particularly useful alongside players such as Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, who can attract defensive attention near the basket.
When did Klay Thompson join the Miami Heat?
Thompson joined the Heat in August 2026.
Before completing the move, he reached a buyout agreement with the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas waived him during the offseason, allowing him to become available to other teams.
After clearing the waiver process, Thompson signed with Miami.
His contract runs for two seasons and was reported at approximately $11.5 million, with a player option for the second year. The agreement gives Thompson an opportunity to remain with Miami beyond the upcoming campaign if he chooses to exercise that option.
The signing also gave Miami an experienced veteran without requiring the team to surrender players or draft assets in a trade.
For Thompson, the move opened the door to another competitive situation as he entered his mid-30s.
Why did Klay Thompson leave the Dallas Mavericks?
Thompson’s Dallas tenure ended during the 2026 offseason after the two sides reached a buyout agreement.
He originally joined the Mavericks in 2024 after leaving the Golden State Warriors. That decision ended his 13-season run with Golden State and marked the first major team change of his NBA career.
Thompson spent two seasons in Dallas.
During his final Mavericks season, he played 69 regular-season games and averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He made 202 three-pointers while shooting 38.3% from three-point range.
His scoring average was lower than during his peak years, but his perimeter shooting remained an important part of his offensive value.
The move to Miami now gives him a different supporting cast and a different offensive environment.
What position does Klay Thompson play?
Thompson primarily plays shooting guard.
The NBA also lists him as a guard-forward, reflecting his ability to operate in multiple perimeter roles.
Miami can use Thompson in several ways. He can start possessions on the wing, move without the ball, space the floor and create opportunities from the perimeter.
His off-ball movement has always been an important part of his game.
Rather than needing to control the offense, Thompson can run around screens, relocate along the three-point line and attack quickly when defenders give him space.
That approach fits a Miami roster with several players capable of handling the ball.
Klay Thompson’s role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo
One of the most significant changes for Thompson is the star power around him.
Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo during the 2026 offseason, giving the Heat one of the NBA’s most dominant two-way players.
Antetokounmpo’s ability to attack the basket can create open perimeter opportunities.
When defenders collapse toward the paint, Miami can move the ball toward shooters positioned around the arc. Thompson’s reputation from three-point range makes him a natural option in that type of offense.
Bam Adebayo provides another major offensive and defensive presence.
Andrew Wiggins also remains an important part of Miami’s lineup, giving Thompson a familiar face from his Golden State years.
The combination gives Miami multiple players who can create offensive pressure while allowing Thompson to focus heavily on spacing and perimeter scoring.
Klay Thompson has already appeared for Miami
Thompson has already taken the court for Miami during the 2026 preseason.
He started the Heat’s preseason opener against the Toronto Raptors on October 3 in Québec City as part of the NBA Canada Series.
His playing time was limited to six minutes.
Thompson did not attempt a field goal during that short appearance. Preseason games often feature controlled minutes for established veterans, particularly at the beginning of the schedule.
The appearance nevertheless marked an important milestone.
It was Thompson’s first game action in a Miami uniform and confirmed that he had moved into the team’s active preseason rotation.
Miami still has preseason games remaining before the regular season begins, giving the coaching staff opportunities to evaluate combinations and determine final rotation patterns.
When will Klay Thompson make his regular-season Heat debut?
Thompson’s first regular-season game with Miami is scheduled for October 21, 2026.
The Heat will host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center in Miami.
The matchup will officially begin Thompson’s first regular season with the franchise.
Miami’s schedule also contains an early meeting with Thompson’s former team. The Heat are scheduled to host the Dallas Mavericks on October 26.
That game will be one of the most closely watched early matchups involving Thompson because Dallas was his team immediately before Miami.
Thompson’s return to the court against Dallas will give fans an early opportunity to see him compete against the organization he represented for two seasons.
Klay Thompson’s 2025-26 numbers
Thompson’s final season in Dallas provides a useful snapshot of his most recent NBA production.
His 2025-26 regular-season statistics included:
| Statistic | 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Games played | 69 |
| Points per game | 11.7 |
| Rebounds per game | 2.1 |
| Assists per game | 1.4 |
| Three-point percentage | 38.3% |
| Three-pointers made | 202 |
| Minutes per game | 21.7 |
The numbers show a player who remained capable of providing consistent perimeter production while working with a reduced offensive workload.
The 202 made three-pointers were especially important.
Thompson remains one of the NBA’s most accomplished long-distance shooters, and his ability to knock down shots from deep continues to shape how opposing defenses approach him.
Miami can benefit from that skill without asking him to become the team’s primary offensive creator.
Why three-point shooting remains important for Thompson
Three-point shooting has been central to Thompson’s career.
He established his reputation as an elite shooter during his years with Golden State, where he formed the famous Splash Brothers backcourt with Stephen Curry.
His ability to score in bunches remains one of the defining features of his game.
Thompson also holds the NBA record for three-pointers made in one game, with 14.
That performance came during his Golden State career and remains one of the league’s most memorable individual shooting displays.
Although his role has changed over time, his perimeter threat still carries significant value.
Defenders cannot easily ignore a player with Thompson’s shooting history. Even when he does not touch the ball frequently, his positioning can affect defensive spacing.
How Miami can use Thompson offensively
Miami has several ways to incorporate Thompson into its offense.
The simplest is floor spacing.
Thompson can remain outside the paint while Antetokounmpo or Adebayo operates closer to the basket. That positioning can force defenders to choose between helping inside and staying connected to a dangerous shooter.
Thompson can also use screens to create open looks.
He has spent much of his career moving without the ball, which allows him to find shooting opportunities without requiring long possessions.
Another option involves quick offensive decisions.
When Thompson receives an open look, he can shoot immediately. When a defender closes hard, he can move the ball or attack the closeout.
That efficiency can help Miami maintain offensive movement.
His experience also means he understands how to play alongside high-level creators without demanding constant touches.
Klay Thompson’s defensive experience
Thompson’s value is not limited to offense.
Earlier in his career, he regularly received difficult defensive assignments because of his size, strength and experience on the perimeter.
His defensive responsibilities have changed over the years, but his knowledge of NBA schemes remains valuable.
Miami has historically placed a strong emphasis on defensive discipline.
Thompson’s experience in Golden State’s championship teams gave him years of exposure to playoff-level defensive demands.
He also understands the importance of communication, positioning and switching within a team structure.
Miami does not need Thompson to be the team’s defensive centerpiece. Instead, his experience can complement the work of players such as Adebayo, Wiggins and Antetokounmpo.
Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are teammates again
Thompson’s arrival in Miami also reunites him with Andrew Wiggins.
The two played together with Golden State and were part of the Warriors’ championship team in 2022.
Wiggins joined Miami before Thompson’s arrival.
Having a familiar teammate can make a transition to a new organization easier. Thompson already knows Wiggins’ game, strengths and tendencies from their time together in Golden State.
Their previous experience could also help Miami develop wing combinations during the season.
The two players bring different skills.
Wiggins provides athleticism, size and two-way wing play, while Thompson provides veteran shooting and perimeter scoring.
That combination gives Miami additional options when building lineups around its primary stars.
Klay Thompson’s Miami contract and future
Thompson signed a two-year deal with Miami worth approximately $11.5 million.
The agreement includes a player option for the second season.
That structure provides Thompson with flexibility while giving Miami access to a veteran shooter for the upcoming season.
His contract also reflects the changing stage of his career.
Thompson entered the NBA in 2011 and spent more than a decade with Golden State before joining Dallas. His Miami contract represents another phase in a career that has already included major team success.
The immediate focus remains the 2026-27 season.
His performance, role and playing time in Miami will help determine how the next stage of his career develops.
Is Klay Thompson still with the Golden State Warriors?
No.
Thompson is no longer with Golden State.
He spent the first 13 seasons of his NBA career with the Warriors and became one of the most important players in franchise history.
Alongside Curry, Draymond Green and other key teammates, Thompson helped Golden State win four NBA championships.
His departure from Golden State in 2024 brought an end to one of the NBA’s most successful player-team relationships.
He then joined Dallas before moving to Miami in 2026.
While his Warriors legacy remains a major part of his career, his current NBA team is the Miami Heat.
Is Klay Thompson still with the Dallas Mavericks?
No.
Thompson left Dallas during the 2026 offseason after the Mavericks and veteran guard agreed to a buyout.
His two-season run with Dallas ended before the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
The move allowed Thompson to join Miami as a free agent after clearing waivers.
That transition made Miami the third NBA team of his career.
His path from Golden State to Dallas and then Miami represents a significant change from the early portion of his career, when he remained with the Warriors for 13 consecutive seasons.
What can fans expect from Thompson in Miami?
The Heat’s biggest use for Thompson is likely to involve his shooting and experience.
He enters the season surrounded by players who can create opportunities for him.
Antetokounmpo can draw defenders toward the basket. Adebayo can operate inside and facilitate from different areas of the court. Wiggins can handle wing responsibilities.
Those pieces allow Thompson to concentrate on what he does best.
His ability to hit perimeter shots can change defensive spacing even when his scoring total is modest.
Miami also gains a player with extensive postseason experience.
Thompson has played in numerous high-pressure games and understands the preparation required for long NBA seasons.
That experience could matter as Miami tries to build chemistry around its new-look roster.
Where is Klay Thompson playing now?
The answer remains Miami.
As of October 4, 2026, Thompson is with the Miami Heat and has already appeared for the team during preseason action.
He left Dallas during the offseason and signed a two-year agreement with Miami.
His first regular-season game with the Heat is scheduled for October 21 against Minnesota.
The upcoming campaign will give Thompson another chance to establish himself in a new system and contribute to a roster with championship ambitions.
His career has already taken him from Golden State to Dallas and now Miami. Each move has brought a different role and a different challenge.
For the Heat, the addition gives them one of the most recognizable veteran shooters of his generation.
For Thompson, Miami represents an opportunity to continue his NBA career while competing alongside another group of established stars.
Klay Thompson’s Miami chapter is officially underway, and the 2026-27 season will show how his shooting and experience fit into the Heat’s new-look roster.