Despite some highlights and internal growth from their younger players, the Heat had a disappointing season that ultimately ended with a play-in loss. Now the team has to determine its next steps as it looks to regain a competitive foothold in the East.
After re-signing Davion Mitchell and extending Nikola Jovic, Miami is not expected to be a cap space team this summer, but the club still has real financial flexibility, Yossi Gozlan writes in his offseason preview for The Third Apron (Substack link).
The Heat have 13 roster slots accounted for, including their first-round pick in the 2026 draft, which projects to be No. 13, barring a change on lottery night. The Heat will also be able to trade up to four first-round picks this summer. That leads Gozlan to suggest that a consolidation trade could make sense.
The team will also have access to its $15.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, Barry Jackson notes for the Miami Herald in a two-part look at potential roster additions. He lists CJ McCollum, Ayo Dosunmu, and Quentin Grimes, as potential guard and wing targets using that exception.
Miami also needs help at the power forward spot, Jackson writes in part two of the column, noting that Rui Hachimura, Kristaps Porzingis, and John Collins could be among the team’s targets if it looks to address its frontcourt using the MLE.
We have more from the Heat:
- One factor that will help determine how much spending flexibility the Heat have is what Andrew Wiggins chooses to do with his $30.2MM player option, Ira Winderman writes for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Wiggins has until June 29 to pick up the option or until June 30 to decline it and work out an extension, if both sides want to pursue that route. Exercising the option could make a star trade easier for the Heat, but the decision ultimately rests with the 31-year-old. “I’m not sure yet,” he said of his future plans. “I’m going to see what’s going on and talk to my agent. Obviously, I love Miami.”
- Jaime Jaquez Jr.‘s excellent season wasn’t rewarded with a Sixth Man of the Year award, but his play in 2025/26 has left him feeling better than ever, Anthony Chiang writes for The Miami Herald. “I feel a lot more confident,” Jaquez said last week. “I feel like I really belong in this league. I think this year kind of solidified that for at least myself, knowing that I can really do this. And going forward, continue to stay ambitious, continue to strive for more, continue to improve, continue to help this team win games.” After a disappointing sophomore season, Jaquez turned in an impressively versatile third year, one that he’s eager to build on moving forward.
- Jovic has expressed frustration with his play as well as the standards he feels held to by the coaching staff, but says that former Heat teammate Duncan Robinson has helped him navigate the ups and downs of his uncertain role. However, coach Erik Spoelstra says that the 6’10” forward needs to get out of his head and out of his own way, Winderman write. “Niko’s objective this offseason?” Spoelstra said. “To not have a victim mindset about it, to not blame anything, just get to work and improve the things that he needs to improve — take it on his shoulders and he’ll be just fine.”
So what’s the move here guys? Giannis trade? Free agent signings? They’ve been in this middle ground play in tier for so long and never get a franchise changing high pick in the draft.
Btw what ever happened with Wiggins a couple years back? Something about his kids not actually being his kids the whole time? That so rough, I feel for the guy.
That was all made up garbage because neither Wiggins nor the Warriors disclosed at that time why he was absent for that month or so.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but the absence was to be with his father, who unfortunately passed away.
That’s honestly a huge relief to hear
Wiggins checked out yrs ago. Soon as he won a title, done. You get paid ridiculous money and you’re a pro. Act like one, F the outside noise effecting you.
How about Spo saying it’s his responsibility to develop Jovic instead of calling him out? You’re supposed to boost Ware and Jovic Spo instead of jabbing them to the media. Take responsibility don’t blame the victim. Riley has been standing Pat pretty much for years so you can hope Pella Larsson will lead them to a championship.
Victim? That’s 100% the problem with ppl today. Jovic isn’t a “victim”. He a well compensated young player playing a team game. He was the oblige that publicly complained that the style of play had changed and that he’s struggling to adjust to it. He’s not that big of a player to have a system designed around him. Either learn to play your role in the system or you for the bench. it isn’t about HIM. NO VICTIM IN A TEAM SPORT.
Victim mentality is a real thing. I’m sure behind the scenes he’s complaining about his playing time while he’s not playing up to his potential or accepting his role. It’s good to call him out. Sometimes that’s what people need to hear to make the necessary changes. As knicks fan stated, he’s a very well compensated nba player who shouldn’t be complaining about anything.
The Heat have a lot of talent but no clear MVP caliber player. They have several guys that would be 2s or 3s on a championship caliber team. I could see them luring the Bucks to trade Giannis there if he’s cool with the location but it’s going to cost s lot. If I’m the Bucks it’s Wiggins (to be flipped elsewhere) for salary purposes, Ware, Larsson or Jovic, this year’s 1st and at least 2 more future 1sts. That would still leave them with Giannis having to play the 5, Bam at the 4, the 3 ???, Hero at the 2 and I guess Mitchell at the 1? Maybe bring in a 3 or 1 in free agency?
It’s time to name D Wade Coach. UD Assistant Coach this will continue and I don’t think Pat can pull off another miracle. D Wade baby it’s time to quit drinking the Spo Kool.Aid