Heat reportedly linked to $298M four-time NBA champion to possibly pair with LeBron James, Giannis

Mar 12, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami has made no secret of its goal this offseason: building a legitimate championship contender. The Heat got the summer rolling with a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, immediately putting themselves in the title conversation.

Now, Miami has its sights set on another four-time NBA champion in LeBron James. The Heat remain one of the finalists to land James.

“ESPN's Shams says just now that he spoke to Rich Paul this morning and there's no decision by LeBron and no timetable on a decision. Shams said his understanding is focus remains on Heat, Cleveland, Philadelphia,” Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson wrote.

However, the Heat are not stopping there. They are also pursuing another four-time NBA champion in Klay Thompson, who is available via trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

“Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson, a five-time All Star and the fourth-most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, 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,” Jackson wrote.

While Dallas would prefer to complete a trade, it appears more likely that Thompson could eventually reach the buyout market. If that happens, Miami is viewed as a potential landing spot.

“The Heat are a potential landing spot for Klay Thompson, if the Mavericks agree to a buyout, per Anthony V Slater. Miami’s starting lineup could become truly elite, if they soon acquired both Thompson and LeBron James,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

A Heat starting lineup featuring Davion Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Thompson, James, and Antetokounmpo would be a formidable group. It would present a difficult matchup for virtually every team in the league.

Thompson has earned $298 million throughout his NBA career. Thompson and Steph Curry are two of the most generational shooters the league has ever seen. Joining a team with that much talent and tremendous floor spacing could put Thompson in an ideal position to compete for another championship.

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