The Dallas Mavericks are going through another major roster shakeup, and Klay Thompson is the latest veteran caught in the middle of it. On August 21, Dallas reached a buyout agreement with the five-time All-Star, clearing the way for him to join the Miami Heat. The 36-year-old is expected to sign a two-year deal worth nearly $13 million, including a player option for the second season.
Klay Thompson’s departure is another major change for Naji Marshall, who joined Dallas in July 2024. Since arriving, Marshall has become an important part of the rotation and recently secured his future with a three-year, roughly $52 million extension after the best season of his career.
The constant changes around him may explain a brief but telling post the Mavs star shared on social media. On the same day Thompson’s Dallas exit became official, Marshall tweeted, “Life moves fast sighhhhhhh…..”
That long, weary sigh, coming right after another veteran walked out the door and just weeks after he’d locked in his own big extension, gives the post a clear note of disappointment without ever calling anyone out.
Same-day timing and that drawn-out sigh make it hard not to read the tweet as a quiet reaction to the latest unexpected roster shift, showing just how fast everything keeps changing around him in Dallas.
Marshall has already experienced just how quickly things can change in Dallas. Since he arrived, Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Mavericks receiving Anthony Davis in return. AD was later sent to the Washington Wizards, adding another dramatic twist to the franchise’s recent history.
The changes have extended beyond the roster. Dallas moved on from general manager Nico Harrison, while head coach Jason Kidd also departed after five seasons. Now Klay Thompson, who joined the Mavericks only in the summer of 2024, is the latest recognizable name to leave.
That puts Marshall in an unusual position. He has just committed his future to Dallas while watching the organization around him transform.
Klay Thompson’s exit is particularly notable because the veteran guard was brought in to provide championship experience and shooting. He was also eager to play alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving while helping the Mavericks make another run to the Western Conference Finals.
After two seasons, however, Thompson and Dallas have agreed to go their separate ways.
The four-time NBA champion is expected to clear waivers before joining Miami. The Heat would give Thompson another opportunity to compete alongside established stars.
He is expected to join Bam Adebayo and newly acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving Miami another proven perimeter shooter and veteran presence.
Meanwhile, Dallas is moving toward a younger core led by Cooper Flagg. The franchise’s direction has changed considerably since Marshall first arrived, and Thompson’s departure is another clear indication of that shift.
Marshall’s post did not suggest anger. He did not criticize the front office or question the decision. His message was subtle, but the drawn-out sigh suggested the latest unexpected change.
For Marshall, the timing is especially striking. He just secured long-term financial stability in Dallas, yet the team surrounding him looks dramatically different from the one he joined.