After sending Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah in a three-team deal last month, the Heat traded Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn on Friday in a salary-dump move. Those transactions have left Miami thin in the frontcourt, with Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic figuring to receive the bulk of the minutes at the four and five.
According to Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com, Miami is exploring ways to add at least one more big man ahead of the 2025/26 season, with free agents Trey Lyles and Kai Jones among the players the team has expressed interest in. Jones impressed the Heat with his “energy and activity” during his workouts this week, sources tell Afseth.
A ten-year NBA veteran who was a lottery pick (12th overall) back in 2015, Lyles has spent the past three-plus seasons in Sacramento. In 69 appearances with the Kings last season, the 6’9″ power forward averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 34.0% from three-point range in 19.6 minutes per game.
Jones, meanwhile, played 40 games for the Clippers and Mavericks in ’24/25, averaging 5.0 PPG and 3.1 RPG while shooting 79.8% from the field in 11.7 MPG. The 24-year-old center was the 19th pick of the 2021 draft.
As Afseth observes, Lyles and Jones provide different skill sets, with the former being a more proven depth piece and the latter offering more athleticism and upside. But either player could theoretically help the Heat as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In addition to moving below the luxury tax line, trading Highsmith also created an opening on the standard roster. Lyles or Jones could fill that 14th spot (Miami is unlikely to add a 15th man to open the season due to its proximity to the tax), but Afseth states multiple times that the Heat are considering other options as well.
Let’s view in this way
Kuminga is Warriors assets, not a free agent
Warriors get Keegan Murray, Lyles and a top 5 protected First
Kings get Kuminga and Moody
This summer
Kings and Suns view Kuminga as a free agent, everyone’s property
This would be classic #KANGZ but I don’t think they’d do something that stupid, right?
…right!?
I don’t see the Kings trading Murray, like at all.
Both Kuminga and Moody are two years younger than Murray
Warriors would do it
Kings get much younger
Murray’s 3pt shooting has fallen off a cliff. All the Kings had to do is trade him a year ago for what they needed but no Murray is untouchable for some reason (worth more than Fox). Definitely a nice starting SF (NOT A PF) but Kuminga and Moody are worth way more than Murray would cannot make 3pt shots the past two years
Never understood why they didnt keep Orlando Robinson around
Since coach Brown knows Lyles well. Many thought he would get a good look in NY. He is actually a model PF Knicks need. Someone who is a good defender. Can rebound and hit open looks. Someone who can watch Towns back on D. And play god team D with Towns. If you can do that consistently for 18-20 mins a game. Knicks need you.
After watching almost every game Lyles played the last 3 seasons, I can confidently say his not a good defender. Average on a good day. He does the little things, which are helpful.
Yeah Lyles isn’t a good defender, he can rebound at a average rate. Definitely a decent backup who can score some points and do some little things. Decent backup PF
Still won’t win a championship lol
I think they should sign Lyles just because I feel like he provides skills that don’t overlap completely with the rest of their bigs. Like the article says either one is a good 4th big for the bench.
Achiuwa still available