Heat Eyeing Klay Thompson. The Mavericks Have a Different Plan.

The Miami Heat are making calls. They want shooting. They want depth around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. And Klay Thompson’s name keeps coming up.

But here’s the thing: the Dallas Mavericks aren’t doing anyone any favors.

Thompson is in the final year of his contract at $17.5 million. That makes him a logical trade candidate, especially for a team that’s still sorting out its direction. The Mavericks have veteran pieces that say compete now and a bunch of young guys who need reps. It’s an awkward in-between spot. And Thompson, at 34 and not the defender he used to be, fits that weird middle ground too.

So the Heat, according to reports, would love to see Thompson hit the buyout market. Pick him up as a free agent. No assets surrendered. Just add a career 41.6 percent three-point shooter to a team that desperately needs floor spacing.

Not so fast.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Dallas has shown little interest in a Thompson buyout so far. The Mavericks would rather see what they can get in a trade. And that makes sense. Shooting is still a premium in this league. Even in decline, Thompson knocked down 2.9 threes per game last season at 38.3 percent. That’s not nothing. That’s actually still pretty good.

A buyout might be Dallas’s last resort if nobody bites on a trade. But they’re not in a rush. And honestly, why would they be? The Heat might get antsy as the season goes on and they realize their half-court offense still clogs up. But Dallas holds the cards here. If Miami wants Thompson, they’ll probably have to give up something for him. Or wait. And waiting has risks too.

The Mavs have a new front office now, too. Masai Ujiri took over as president of basketball operations. He’s got a reputation as one of the sharpest guys in the room. He didn’t get here by being pushed around in negotiations. So if you think he’s just going to hand over Thompson for nothing because the Heat are interested, you haven’t been paying attention.

This whole thing could drag out. It usually does. But one thing is clear: Dallas isn’t blinking first.