Klay Thompson reveals the reason for rejecting 10 million and signing with the Miami Heat
The All-Star assures that what really convinced him to join the Florida franchise was the possibility of competing for a championship again.
Klay Thompson is clear about what his new challenge in the NBA will be. After ending his time with the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran shooting guard has chosen Miami Heat as the next destination in his career, a decision where money was not the priority. Thompson claims that what really convinced him was the chance to compete for a championship again.
The five-time All-Star became a free agent on Sunday after the termination of his contract with Dallas and quickly reached a two-year agreement with Miami. The second year will be a player option. To secure it, Thompson gave up about 10 million dollars, but he believes that the opportunity to return to a championship-contending team compensates for the financial difference.
Klay Thompson wanted to win again
Thompson fully understands what it means to be a champion. During his time with the Golden State Warriors, he won four NBA titles alongside Stephen Curry, forming one of the most significant backcourt duos in the recent history of the league.
Therefore, after experiencing success at the highest level, the player knows exactly what he is looking for in this stage of his career.
“I've tasted victory before, and there is nothing like it. The chance to win at such a high level again was very attractive to me.”
The new player for Miami believes that the Heat provide him with just that scenario. The franchise has had an ambitious summer with the arrival of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee, while also adding another shooting specialist like Tim Hardaway Jr.
Klay Thompson's contract with Miami
| Data | Information |
|---|---|
| Team | Miami Heat |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Second season | Player option |
| Source | Dallas Mavericks |
| Money given up | Approximately 10 million dollars |
| Goal | Compete for another championship |
| Key teammates | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins |
Miami is also a personal decision
The sports project is not the only reason Thompson feels particularly drawn to Miami. The new Heat player also has strong family ties to the city and area.
His father, Mychal Thompson, was a star for the Miami Jackson High team that won the state championship in high school in 1974. Additionally, his brother Mychel attended the same high school in Oregon as Erik Spoelstra.
On top of that, there is the possibility of being much closer to family living in the Bahamas.
Even Thompson's introductory press conference had a typically Miami-related element: it started late due to traffic in the city.
“I know it's a demanding environment. That's what attracted me to being here.”
This statement perfectly summarizes what Thompson is looking for. He doesn't want a comfortable destination to end his career but a situation that forces him to compete at the highest level.
The Heat wants to be a protagonist again
Thompson's arrival is the final major piece of a summer in which Miami has decided to completely change the course of its project.
The Heat managed to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, sending Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis to Milwaukee. The franchise also brought in Tim Hardaway Jr., another player with a great ability to punish from the three-point line.
For Erik Spoelstra, the new roster has all the ingredients to generate expectations.
“This year there will be a lot of attention on our team. This is what we wanted.”
The Miami coach particularly highlighted the addition of Thompson, whom he considers one of the great players in history.
“He is one of the best in history.”
Spoelstra also emphasized his status as a champion, his intelligence in reading the game, and his ability to help his teammates. The coach also pointed out that Thompson has always had a strong commitment to defensive work.
A new beginning for Klay Thompson
Thompson embarks on this stage after a few complicated years since leaving Golden State. His time in Dallas did not end as he had hoped, and now he has the opportunity to start anew on a team that, at least on paper, has the arguments to compete for everything.
Furthermore, he arrives in Miami with an important statistical goal. Thompson is currently fourth in NBA history for three-pointers made and will begin the season just 74 three-pointers behind Ray Allen, the former Heat star, for third place.
He also holds some of the most impressive records in the history of outside shooting. He is the player with the most three-pointers made in a single game, with 14, and has nine games with at least 10 three-pointers.
But his goals go far beyond statistics.
“It's a sort of redemption season for me, to show that I can still make a difference and do it consistently.”
Thompson is convinced that the potential of this new project is “unlimited”. Now, after choosing Miami over other options and sacrificing money to make it happen, he just wants the moment to share the court with his new teammates to arrive.
“I'm looking forward to starting to work. It's pretty surreal to be here. But it's a great honor.”
For a player who has already won four championships, the message is clear: Klay Thompson has not come to Miami to close his career, but to try to add another ring to his collection.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Klay Thompson desvela el motivo de rechazar 10 millones y fichar por Miami Heat
