Heat predicted to trade Nikola Jovic for Mavericks' $298M generational shooter in 3-team mega deal

The Miami Heat are still looking to improve their roster around Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo after what has already been a successful offseason. Miami is focused on making the right moves to become a legitimate championship contender.

Dallas Mavericks elite shooter Klay Thompson has emerged as a player the Heat have kept a close eye on. With Dallas potentially making him available in trade discussions, Miami could have an opportunity to land the four-time NBA champion.

“Thompson should be angling for a trade to a desirable destination rather than a buyout, albeit he holds less control in the former scenario. The complicated aspect is the 4x NBA champion is still set to make $17.5 million next season, and there might not be too many teams eager on him at that price point,” Blue Man Hoops’ Peter O’Keefe wrote.

Thompson has become Miami’s top priority as the Heat continue searching for more perimeter shooting around their stars.

“They hope not. The Miami Heat's number one priority right now is to acquire shooting. And they found their No. 1 target for that...Klay Thompson. The problem is Klay Thompson has one year left on his Mavs contract so they're exploring whether they can trade for him, whether this could end up in a buyout, we'll see over the next several weeks," ESPN's Shams Charania said.

A trade may be necessary for the Heat to acquire Thompson, and one potential three-team framework has emerged. The Smoking Cuban’s Will Miller believes Miami could send Nikola Jovic to the Sacramento Kings, with Thompson landing in Miami and Malik Monk going to Dallas.

“This deal checks out financially for all three teams, and every team gets a need met here, especially the Mavericks. The Sacramento Kings get a second-round pick from both the Mavericks and the Heat, and end up taking a flyer on young forward Nikola Jovic, and the Heat get their guy and increased perimeter shooting with Thompson. Of course, Dallas lands Monk, an explosive 28-year-old guard who is a great secondary playmaker and can create at all three levels,” Miller wrote.

The Heat would finally add Thompson, giving them the elite shooting they need to space the floor around Adebayo and Antetokounmpo. Sacramento would continue building around younger talent, while Dallas would add an athletic guard who can create offense and attack the basket.

Thompson has earned $298 million throughout his historic NBA career. Miami would be adding one of the greatest shooters in basketball history, while Sacramento would give Jovic an opportunity to develop in a larger role. Meanwhile, Dallas would continue building around Cooper Flagg with another experienced veteran presence.

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