A lot of people seem to be forgetting who Klay Thompson is. 

In the last few years, Thompson’s lowlights and off court activities have taken the spotlight over his performance on the court. The poor shooting nights and his highly-publicized relationship with Megan Thee Stallion have attempted to make others assume that he was defined by those rather than his on-court performance. 

For a guy like Thompson, whose laid-back and nonchalant attitude has helped mold him into one of the game’s most dangerous shooters, this isn’t something that he puts too much attention to. Instead, he’s focused on rediscovering his touch and going to the Miami Heat could do just that.  

Durability has not been an issue as Thompson has played in at least 69 games in the last four seasons despite tearing his left ACL and right Achilles tendon. However, the four-time NBA champion’s efficiency during those recent campaigns have taken a hit and it contributed to his exit from the Golden State Warriors and may have made his stint with the Dallas Mavericks a disappointing one. 

The Heat have been known for their strenuous conditioning program and while Thompson should be good in terms of fitness, Miami’s program could help bring back his consistency on offense. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo now the primary options for the Heat, floor spacing will be a priority for Miami and even now, Thompson still remains a threat from the perimeter.

Thompson is a career 40.9 percent shooter from behind the 3-point line and while his 38.3 3-point shooting percentage last season was the lowest for his career, it’s still higher than the league average for that same period (36.0 percent). Shooting remains a premium not just for floor spacing, but also when it comes to overcoming deficits and extending leads. 

Roster-wise, the Heat don’t need to deploy Thompson in heavy minutes immediately. With the likes of Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Andrew Wiggins, the minutes can be spread evenly especially as Thompson works his way into the fitness level Miami wants from its players. With their depth, the Heat can save Thompson for key moments and allow him to stay fresh for the postseason. 

The Miami Heat may not have to go through the Play-In Tournament to enter the 2026-27 postseason, but it has been awhile since they have moved past the first round of the playoffs. Their offseason acquisitions have been geared towards getting over that proverbial hump and while Klay Thompson’s arrival pales in comparison to that of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Heat knew what they were getting in Thompson, who has never been afraid of the bright lights of the postseason.