New Klay Thompson Trade Rumors Reveal Potential NBA Landing Spot Amid LeBron James Buzz

The Miami Heat need to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with more shooting. They may have eyes for one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.

According to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson "has emerged as a player of strong interest to the Miami Heat, multiple sources said in recent days. The Heat has interest in adding Thompson whether LeBron James joins the Heat or not, a source said."

They additionally reported that the team "would like to add another scoring wing player with size to supplement Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr., second-round pick Ryan Conwell and third-year player Pelle Larsson."

Thompson, 36, isn't the elite three-and-D wing he was during his prime, though in a more limited role he can still be effective. Last season, he averaged 11.7 points per game and shot 38.3 percent from three in 21.7 minutes per game (69 total contests).

Unless Thompson is willing to take a buyout, however, playing for the Heat likely won't happen. With Thompson set to make $17.4 million next season and the Heat already low on reliable depth, matching salaries in a trade wouldn't make much sense from Miami's perspective.

Granted, Thompson could recoup some of the money lost in a buyout once he signs in Miami, which has $7 million it could offer in a midlevel exception. It's also possible that the midlevel exception might not be available if LeBron James decides to sign in Miami, though he could choose to sign on a veteran minimum.

So there are a lot of moving parts in play. It's pretty clear that the Heat need more reliable bodies on the wing and definitely need high-level shooting. The Giannis trade may have been one of the biggest splashes of the offseason, but Miami's roster around him still feels like a work in progress.