Mavericks Buyout of Klay Thompson Brings Tiny Cap Relief

Dallas bought out Klay Thompson’s final year ($17.5 million) to clear roster space after cap constraints prevented a trade, sending him to the Miami Heat. The move yields only modest cap relief for Dallas in 2026-27—roughly $3.9 million, potentially up to about $6.5 million if Thompson signs a new two-year deal—while the team remains over the soft cap and under the luxury tax due to a crowded 16 guaranteed contracts. The article argues the trade market was effectively closed by cap realities and criticizes the front office for accumulating assets that couldn’t be dumped.