Lakers, Heat receive troubling ex-Warriors Klay Thompson buyout update from Mavericks

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Lakers, Heat receive troubling ex-Warriors Klay Thompson buyout update from Mavericks originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are all-in on four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson, who currently finds himself at a crossroads with the Dallas Mavericks and their new management. This is not the same front office that brought Thompson to Dallas two summers ago, leaving his future with the organization uncertain.

Both the Lakers and Heat have a need for perimeter shooting, and Thompson would immediately address that weakness. It has already been reported that Thompson would be open to joining either team.

“My understanding is that Thompson would welcome a return to Los Angeles, where he spent part of his childhood and still owns a home. The Miami Heat are another team frequently mentioned in NBA circles as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer," The Athletic's Christian Clark wrote.

Thompson is entering the final year of his contract with the Mavericks, meaning any team that acquires him would be taking on an expiring deal. However, the Lakers and Heat have been forced to wait on a potential buyout because Dallas has shown little interest in the trade packages either team could offer.

“The Heat and Lakers continue to await a buyout for Klay Thompson. The Mavericks hold little interest in taking on Nikola Jovic or Jarred Vanderbilt’s contracts in potential trade talks with either team. Both teams would likely offer Thompson an immediate starting opportunity,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

The problem for both teams is that Dallas and Thompson have not even begun negotiating a buyout. That leaves the Lakers and Heat in a difficult position as they wait for an opportunity that may not materialize.

“Amid speculation and people asking, Klay Thompson and the Mavs are not currently negotiating a buyout, sources confirmed to ClutchPoints. The Mavs are open to trading Thompson, but there have not been active discussions as of today between the two sides on a buyout,” NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.

The Lakers remain firmly in the mix if Thompson becomes available, particularly if they are unable to acquire Jonathan Kuminga. Miami is also keeping financial flexibility available for a potential deal with Thompson down the line.

However, if a buyout never comes to fruition, that would be bad news for both teams. Neither the Lakers nor Heat appear to have the type of trade package Dallas is interested in, leaving both organizations in a difficult situation.

For now, a buyout appears to be the clearest path for Thompson to land with either team, but Dallas has given no indication that one is coming anytime soon.

More NBA news:

• Cavaliers going all-in for $11M 3-and-D NBA champion, passing on Jonathan Kuminga, DeMar DeRozan​

• 76ers' LeBron James makes historic $48.7M contract decision to join Philadelphia, Jaylen Brown​

• Heat predicted to sign $349M former MVP, nine-time All-Star to join Giannis Antetokounmpo​

• Lakers expected to part ways with disappointing $18M former first-rounder, says Lakers insider​

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