NBA Champion Highlights One Problem in Klay Thompson’s Fit Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Heat

The Miami Heat are looking more like a contending team now after signing Klay Thompson to a two-year deal worth $11.5 million. Before Thompson's signing, Giannis Antetokounmpo was traded to the Heat to team up with Bam Adebayo. While the trade was supposed to bolster the team's lineup, not everyone could necessarily say they were strong contenders. This was due to their lack of shooting depth on the roster.

However, with Thompson now in the picture, this solves their shooting issues, which should be a huge relief for the Heat. At least, that's the ideal. But former NBA champion Antonio Daniels recently spoke his mind about Klay's arrival, saying his shooting won't be enough to help Antetokounmpo and the Heat get the job done.

"Let's not act like this is the Golden State Warriors Klay from seven years ago," Daniels said on a Monday airing of SiriusXM NBA Radio. "He's no longer considered a two-way Klay Thompson. That's what made him so valuable in Golden State. It wasn't simply the fact that he could shoot the ball, which was obviously huge. But he could sit down and lock up, too."

"In today's NBA, what you're getting on one end, you may not be getting somewhere else," Daniels added. "You're getting the shooting. 100%. You 100% need the shooting with Giannis, Bam, and some of those guys in Miami; you 100% need it. But you also need someone who's going to defend."

While Daniels raises a valid point about Klay no longer being the player he once was on both ends of the court, it is unlikely that Heat president Pat Riley signed him for his defense. With Giannis and Bam among the league's top defenders, the team's defensive needs are already well-covered.

Former NBA Star Claims Heat is Better Than 76ers After Klay Thompson Signing

For many years, the Western Conference has always been considered "stacked" due to the amount of talent that's in the division. However, after what transpired this summer, the Eastern Conference looks more promising than ever, with a plethora of big stars playing in the East.

Arguably, the biggest East acquisition is LeBron James, who decided to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this summer. James formed a superteam with Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, turning the Sixers into one of the favorites to win the title this coming season.

However, with Klay Thompson going to South Beach to help Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo chase rings, the Miami Heat are now also considered strong contenders to win the title in 2027. With that in mind, former NBA star Jeff Teague strongly believes that the new Heat team is better than James' 76ers superteam.

"I told y’all the Heat was gonna be better than the Sixers," Teague said on Club 520 Podcast. "We got Bam, Giannis, Klay, Wiggs, Mitchell, THJ off the pine, Portis off the pine. We got a nice 7. Ryan Conwell. I like Buddy too, Nikola Jovic. He ain’t bad. — Don’t let Jrue Holiday get a buyout and go to Miami. (The Heat) are the best team in the East, competing with the Knicks."

While there may be some truth to Teague's sentiments, winning the championship could be a stretch. For now, fans can only wait to see how the new Eastern Conference unfolds. With Klay Thompson joining Miami, the 2026-27 season commences in October.