Draymond Green Claims Media Are Setting Up Klay Thompson to Fail in Miami

Draymond Green warned Heat fans after Klay Thompson signing.

Draymond Green Claims Media Are Setting Up Klay Thompson to Fail in Miami

Draymond Green and Klay Thompson (Image credits - San Fransisco Chronicles)

Klay Thompson has found a new home after bringing an end to his disappointing two-year spell with the Dallas Mavericks. The former Golden State Warriors player joined the Mavs in 2024, and the Mavs bought out his contract to become a free agent for the second time in his career.

Both Thompson and the Miami Heat are coming off poor 2025-26 campaigns after missing the playoffs. The Mavs missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season after finishing at 12th place in the West. Meanwhile, the Heat were eliminated by the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament.

The 36-year-old was instrumental in all four of his championship runs from 2015 to 2022 in Golden State. However, two serious injuries and age have caught up to him in recent seasons.

His former Warriors teammate, Draymond Green, cited a warning to Heat fans after their latest summer signing.

I don’t like how everybody is trying to act like ‘oh, it’s Klay Thompson! Klay to the Heat!’ Like this is Klay from 2018. The reason I don’t like it is that I feel like everybody is trying to set Klay up for failure.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

Thompson was heavily linked to the Heat after reports emerged that the Mavs were open to parting ways with him. Multiple teams showed interest in the four-time champion, but he ended up signing a two-year deal with the Heat.

The move has generated a lot of excitement and hype in the NBA world. However, Green tempered expectations. With Heat fans believing that they could contend for a championship after signing Thompson, Green spoke from a perspective to protect his former teammate and close friend.

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Draymond Green believes sports media is setting up Klay Thompson for failure

There is no doubt that Klay Thompson is well past his prime. Since entering the league in 2011, he established himself as one of the greatest shooters of all time. His partnership with Stephen Curry was one of the most potent backcourt duos in NBA history. They were popularly known as the “Splash Brothers.”

Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson (Image credits – Bleacher Report)

After warning Heat Nation, Draymond Green blamed the sports media for setting up his former teammate to failure.

I wish sports media would speak on it more like when Ray Allen went to Miami. That’s the role I’d expect Klay to play. Don’t try to set my brother up like you about to get the 2017 Klay so the moment you don’t, you all can bash him. Don’t try to build it up like ‘oh man look what happened’ so y’all can tear him down.

Draymond Green on The Draymond Green Show

Thompson saw himself come off the bench last season for the first time in his career. His new role in his second season in Dallas saw him average 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 69 appearances. However, he did shoot at 38.3% from beyond the arc.

Draymond Green loves Klay Thompson’s move to Miami

The Heat have made a number of changes to their roster after their poor 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns. Their biggest move was acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, the front office has been building their team around their frontcourt duo of Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

While Green warned Heat fans about Thompson’s signing, he said he loved the move.

I love the move. I think this is a very great move for Klay. I found it interesting Klay going to Miami. I said ‘oh that Heat culture thing.’ I don’t know how that’s going to work for Klay because Klay moves to the own beat of his own drum. I want to see how that fits into the ‘Heat culture’ stuff.

There is a lot of optimism surrounding the player and the franchise since the signing was confirmed. Thompson may be the answer to the Heat’s three-point shooting needs, and he will also provide some valuable veteran experience in the locker room.

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