Heat news: Klay Thompson hungry for ‘redemption season’ after Miami move

MIAMI – With the Miami Heat signing three-point specialist Klay Thompson, there is no denying that a lot of expectations will be put on the four-time champion after an up-and-down tenure with the Dallas Mavericks for the last two seasons. As Thompson joins Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo with the Heat, Thompson would be candid about what this next NBA chapter means to him.

Tuesday marked Thompson’s introduction to Miami, as the team conducted an introductory press conference for the 36-year-0ld, with his new head coach Erik Spoelstra joining alongside him on the podium. Thompson would emphasize wanting to show the league that he still has the juice to be a top-tier NBA player, admitting that this upcoming year is a “redemption season” for him.

“It’s a huge motivator. I mean, Giannis has tasted winning before, just like I have, just like Bobby [Portis Jr.], Wiggs [Andrew Wiggins]. Bam [Adebayo]’s been there twice, and it’s all you really want. It’s the standard. Once you get there, it’s like you do anything to go back. And us as athletes, we always have a chip on our shoulder,” Thompson said.

“We always remember what motivates us, what gets us to tick, and I still feel like I have a lot to prove, even in year 14, whatever it is, and I still feel like I can prove that by being on a winning team, and that’s all I could ask for is the opportunity,” Thompson continued. “So, for myself and this upcoming season, it’s kind of a redemption season for me to show I can still make an impact on winning and do it consistently, and I just can’t really wait to get to work. It’s pretty surreal being here, but what an honor it is.”

Klay Thompson speaks on how he sees this upcoming year with the #Heat as a “redemption season.” pic.twitter.com/a0Hex4VV4B

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) August 25, 2026

New Heat star Klay Thompson on his durability

The last two seasons with the Mavericks had seen a dip in Thompson’s usage and statistics, going from 17.9 points per game in his last season with the Golden State Warriors in 2023-24, to 14 and 11.7 points per game in the next two seasons with Dallas. He now joins a team where Thompson’s three-point shooting will be crucial with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo commanding a presence in the paint, likely freeing shots for the veteran shooter.

One aspect of Thompson that he feels he can keep up is his availability, as aside from tearing an ACL and rupturing his right Achilles in 2019 and 2020, respectively, missing two entire seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21, he’s been relatively durable. Thompson averages 71.8 games played per season, not counting the two full seasons missed.

Thompson still thinks he can “do it at a high level” and, with the famed tough preparation Miami provides, he’s excited to benefit from it.

“The durability for me has been a huge plus. That’s one thing that might have been in question when I came back from all that time I had off. But for me, those injuries are are back in the past, and I don’t even think about them anymore,” Thompson said.

“I’m really excited just to be pushed at on a fitness level that will…I know will be so beneficial for me for this next season,” Thompson continued. “And a lot of players warn me about how tough it is, but I like hard stuff like that.”

Klay Thompson on where he is physically compared to a handful of years ago. Aside from missed time recently with Dallas, he’s been pretty durable, says he can get back to his prior availability.

Expresses excitement about the tough preparation ahead with the #Heat. pic.twitter.com/ELqz7enFhG

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) August 25, 2026

At any rate, it remains to be seen how Thompson fits with the new era of the Heat led by Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, as hype around the team is the highest it’s been in a long time.