Klay Thompson's Mavericks Exit Could Lead To One Great Thing

Klay Thompson is no longer with the Dallas Mavericks, as the two sides agreed to a buyout on Friday afternoon, clearing the way for the sharpshooter to sign a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Miami Heat on Sunday.

In doing so, Thompson gave up nearly $10 million of the salary the Mavericks owed him in the final year of his contract, and he'll only make up about half of that in his first year with the Heat, showing how badly he wants to be competing for championships again.

Thompson's tenure in Dallas was far from what anyone expected, as Luka Doncic went down with a severe calf strain before being traded, and then Kyrie Irving tore his ACL a month after the Doncic trade.

Jan 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) runs back up the court during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Anthony Davis, who was the primary return for Doncic, was consistently hurt in his year in Dallas before he was salary-dumped to the Washington Wizards. His injuries were a major reason Thompson chose the Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 offseason.

Despite the Mavericks not competing in Thompson's two seasons, he never complained about the situation he was in. However, him leaving does open something up that has long been needed.

It's Time to Retire Jason Terry's Number

The Mavericks are a unique organization, where they've had a lot of great players come through, but they might have only stayed for a handful of years. That leaves retiring jerseys a tricky proposition, as few players stayed long enough to have a profound impact.

Jason Terry was never an All-Star in Dallas, but he was a great player in his eight seasons, averaging 16.1 PPG. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2009, then finished either second or third in four other seasons.

Jan. 30, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry during game against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 122-99. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

His biggest contribution was obviously the 2011 playoffs, when he was truly dynamic offensively. He averaged 19.8 PPG in the four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, then 18 PPG against the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

In the closeout Game 6 in Miami, it was Terry who led the way with 27 points on an efficient 11/16 shooting as Dirk Nowitzki struggled, going just 9/27.

Without Terry, they don't win that Game 6, and they may not even win the championship.

Terry is eighth in games played in Mavericks history, third in three-pointers made, seventh in total points, and eighth in steals. Of the players in the top eight in franchise history, five have their jerseys retired, and the other three are Terry, Michael Finley, and Luka Doncic. All three have arguments for having their numbers retired.

Fans have been wanting the organization to retire Terry's number 31, but Thompson chose the number when he came to Dallas as a nod to Terry and Reggie Miller.

With Thompson gone, now would be the perfect time to do so.

Terry is currently an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz, and the Mavericks will play the Jazz at home on November 6th and February 6th, if they want to make that official.

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