Klay Thompson Signs With Miami Heat: Why The Fit Makes Perfect Sense

After the Dallas Mavericks and Klay Thompson agreed to a buyout on Thursday afternoon, a few minutes after that initial report, it was announced he would sign with the Miami Heat. It was reported that Thompson will sign a two-year deal for nearly $13 million. For more NBA breakdowns check out this article by us here. 

Throughout the offseason, it was speculated where the future first-ballot Hall of Famer would go. With the Heat being one of the most predicted landing spots for Thompson, does the fit make sense?

Why The Miami Heat Needed More Three-Point Shooting Around Giannis Antetokounmpo

After trading for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, it was clear that Miami needed to add more shooting to surround a Giannis and Bam Adebayo frontcourt. To be maximized offensively, Giannis needs to have the ball in his hands majority of the time.

Not only that, the former two-time MVP needs to have the offense built around him, where he’s surrounded by three-point shooters defenses will respect. In order to create driving lanes for Giannis to attack and capitalize on his elite ability to get rim pressure.

Adebayo over the past two seasons has shown growth, developing into a player who actually takes a real number of catch-and-shoot three attempts. This past season, the former three-time All-Star shot 31.4 percent on 4.6 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game.

During the season prior, Adebayo had a better catch-and-shoot three-point percentage at 36.8 percent. Yet, he only shot 2.2 catch-and-shoot threes a night. While the Heat star is willing to shoot threes off the catch, defenses still don’t fully respect him as a three-point shooter. 

Miami Heat Add Shooting With Tim Hardaway Jr. and Ryan Conwell

Outside of Andrew Wiggins and Bobby Portis, the Heat didn’t have other shooters off the catch that defenses will fully respect heading into free agency. With this being the case, that’s why we saw Miami add more shooting by signing Tim Hardaway Jr. in the offseason.

Hardaway Jr. over the past two seasons has shot 4.9 and 5.3 catch-and-shoot threes per game and made them at a 37 and 41.5 percent clip. In the draft, they selected Ryan Conwell with the 37th overall pick.

Conwell in his last two college seasons shot 34.5 and 41.2 percent from three on 17.4 and 12.5 three-point attempts per one hundred possessions. Ranking over the 89th percentile in three-point attempts during both seasons. He also finished in the 84th percentile in three-point percentage in his junior season.

Klay Thompson Gives The Miami Heat Another High-End Three-Point Shooter 

Thompson brings in a player that will provide a huge boost for the Heat’s three-point shooting. Despite his decline as a player over the past few years, the former five-time All-Star can still shoot the lights out from three.

Over the past four seasons, Klay has shot over 38.1 percent on catch-and-shoot threes. While attempting over 5.6 catch-and-shoot threes per game.

Thompson is not only capable of shooting threes spotting up, but he’s good at shooting them on the move. Giving the Heat another element to their offense, Klay will not only punish defenses who help off him open to collapse on a Giannis drive.

Where he’s shot over 36.7 percent on open three-pointers during the past four years. Thompson will also be a feared shooting weapon running dribble handoffs with Adebayo.

Forcing defenders to go over screens, opening up Bam to attack a four vs three situation. Creating opportunities for Adebayo to score or make a pass to an open teammate against a scrambling defense.

Klay Thompson’s Defense Is A Cause For Concern

At this stage of his career and the lower body injuries he’s suffered, Thompson is not the same defender we remember from before those injuries. The former four-time champion doesn’t have the same speed and lateral quickness to defend on the ball at a high level.

In addition to not providing value on this end as a defensive playmaker, this past season Thompson ranked in the third percentile when it came to forcing deflections. Miami’s new addition best role defensively is playing off the ball and hiding on the opponent’s most limited offensive guard or wing.

Why The Heat Can Hide Klay Thompson’s Defensive Flaws

Fortunately for Thompson, his new home has the defensive infrastructure to mask his flaws on this end. Giannis is a good weak-side rim protector and can defend small forwards to centers.

Adebayo is only an okay rim protector, but what makes him a well-renowned defender is the fact that he can guard positions one through five at an elite level. Unlocking the ability for Miami to have  Giannis as the low man while Adebayo is defending the pick-and-roll, or have the inverse.

Wiggins is a good point-of-attack defender who can defend bigger guards and wing creators. Davion Mitchell is a good point-of-attack defender that you can trust on the opponent’s best guard creator.

End Of Klay Thompson Signing With The Heat Rant

Thompson addresses a need the Heat have been trying to fill throughout this offseason. While he isn’t perfect, signing a shooter of his caliber at this point of the offseason would be hard to come by.

For a team that is looking to be a contender this season, they hope the 36-year-old marksman has some juice left for a title push. If any coach can squeeze the juice Thompson has left, it would be Erik Spoelstra.