“He’s one of the best players of all-time.” Klay Thompson on his extreme respect for & excitement to play with Gian Via @NBA on X

What happened: Klay Thompson called Giannis Antetokounmpo "one of the best players of all-time" and said he is excited to play alongside him in Miami. The Heat open their season Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on ESPN.

Why it matters: The partnership remains one of Miami's central offseason storylines after Thompson agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Heat. How quickly Thompson and Antetokounmpo click will shape early expectations for Miami entering 2026-27.

What to watch: Watch for how Miami uses Thompson and Antetokounmpo together through camp and preseason. The first game test comes in the opener against Minnesota on Oct. 21.

Sources

  • @NBA