Heat signs future NBA Hall of Famer

The Miami Heat have signed four-time NBA champion and five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, the team announced. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, in accordance with club policy.

Heat president Pat Riley praised Thompson as an accomplished two-way player whose championship experience and shooting ability will strengthen Miami’s pursuit of another title.

“Klay is one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA,” Riley said. “A four-time, battle-tested world champion who will fit perfectly into his role as an all-around player at both ends of the court. We all talk about his shooting skill, but there is so much more he brings to the game. We are blessed that Klay chose the Heat in our quest to challenge for championships.”

Thompson joins Miami after spending last season with the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran guard appeared in 69 games, including eight starts, and averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes per game. He shot 38.3 percent from three-point range.

Of Thompson’s 286 made field goals, 202 came from beyond the arc. That total led Dallas and marked the 11th season of his career with at least 200 made three-pointers—the second-most such seasons in NBA history.

Thompson made 188 three-pointers as a reserve, setting a Mavericks single-season record. It was also the second-highest total by an NBA reserve last season, trailing only new Heat teammate Tim Hardaway Jr., who made 205.

The 35-year-old scored in double figures 40 times, including eight performances with at least 20 points. He led the Mavericks in scoring on eight occasions, blocks seven times and steals six times.

A two-time All-NBA selection and former All-Defensive Team honoree, Thompson brings 13 seasons of NBA experience to Miami. He has played in 934 regular-season games, starting 822, and owns career averages of 18.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. He has shot 44.8 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from three-point range and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Thompson is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He set the league’s single-game record by making 14 three-pointers on Oct. 29, 2018, and his 2,899 career three-pointers rank fourth all time.