Sharpshooting G-League veteran Ethan Thompson has inked a training camp deal with the Miami Heat, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The Heat signed Thompson on Wednesday after their G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls SkyForce, acquired the 6-4 guard right from the Osceola Magic, Orlando‘s minor league affiliate.
Sioux Falls, which went 30-21 last year, also received a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA G League Draft in the transaction. Meanwhile, the SkyForce sent the Magic the rights to Justin Champagnie, a 2025 first-round selection (No. 16) and a 2026 second-round pick.
Thompson has spent his entire professional career in the G-League. While the 26-year-old inked a two-way deal with Orlando at the end of February, he didn’t appear in the game for the Magic despite thriving for Osceola. He is coming off his best shooting performance of his career and stepped up his production in the G-League playoffs.
In 47 G-League appearances, Thompson averaged 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 turnovers. The 2024 Next Up and third team all-G-League selection knocked down a career-best 3.3 threes while shooting 41.5/39.8/80.5. He produced two double-doubles and scored in double-figures in 48 of 52 contests, topping the 20-point mark 17 times, including all five postseason outings.
Thompson will participate in his third training camp of his career. The Oregon State products, other training camp experiences include the Chicago Bulls in 2021 and last year with the Magic.
“Thompson also gives the Heat a player of Puerto Rican descent on its roster, a day after the team announced it would play a preseason game against the Magic Oct. 4 in Puerto Rico,” Jackson said.
Ethan Thompson Has a Shot At Making the Heat’s Roster
Jackson indicated that Thompson has a chance of making Miami’s 18-man roster. While Thompson is an elite 3-point shooter, he will have to show more during training camp. He has struggled during the NBA summer league, including this past July, when he averaged 10 points with shooting splits of .292/.313/.857.
Thompson has demonstrated himself to be a capable ballhandler and improved his playmaking with Osceola last season. However, those two areas have proven to be an issue, along with efficiency, during the summer league. If Thompson doesn’t fix those problems, he will undoubtedly be ticketed in Sioux Falls. Since the Skyforce owns its G-League rights already, the Heat doesn’t have to worry about losing him even if he doesn’t earn a contract.
Miami has 14 players on standard contracts with a salary cap hit of $187.89 million, meaning the Heat are over the luxury tax. The Heat also has two of its three 2-way spots filled. Myron Gardner and Vladislav Goldin are the players on minor league deals.
Thompson is still eligible for a two-way spot since he technically only has one year of NBA experience. So, expect him to compete for the last minor league spot.
With Thompson’s signing, Miami has 18 players under deals. Undrafted rookie Steve Settle III is also with the team on an Exhibit 10 training camp deal. In addition, Jackson said that the Heat has a verbal agreement with Gabe Madsen.
Gabe Madsen
Madsen went undrafted out of Utah this past July. Madsen played for Golden State’s summer league squad in Vegas and the California Classic. In six summer contests, the 24-year-old compiled 9.2 points and 1.0 steals with shooting splits of .50/51.9/0 in 14 minutes of action. Despite the quality numbers, he had an up-and-down campaign.
Madsen was efficient, averaging 1.4 points per shot, during the summer and exploded for 22 points on 7 of 12 shooting, including 6 of 10 from deep against Utah in Vegas. But that was his only double-figure scoring effort, and he had three shaky shooting performances. The 6-5 wing also showed off his playmaking ability and some defensive promise. He did have issues with turnovers and ball handling.
Miami’s 15th Spot
Jackson stated that Miami is expected to fill its 15th roster spot. He added the Heat may not do so until the regular season is underway in November. As the Heat appears to have a “love affair” with Dru Smith. Smith is still recovering from a torn Achilles in December, though the Heat offered him a qualifying offer this summer.
While it was previously thought that the qualifying offer was for a minor league deal, Smith is no longer eligible for a two-way spot with the Heat. So, if Smith is signed, it will likely be for the veteran’s minimum. The Heat has also shown some interest in Kai Jones.
Jones worked out for four days at the Kaseya Center this week. Jones is also ineligible for a two-way deal.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
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