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Haywood Highsmith opens up on career season with Heat: ‘You can see I’ve put in a lot of work’

Haywood Highsmith
Haywood Highsmith is coming off a career season with the Miami Heat. (Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo)

Haywood Highsmith’s basketball journey–from getting waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to signing multiple 10-day contracts with the Miami Heat–has been filled with plenty of highs and lows.

Now, Highsmith, an unrestricted free agent, is coming off his best season as a pro with Miami, starting 26 of his 66 games in 2023-24 with an established role in the rotation.

In an exclusive interview with NBA reporter Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the 6-foot-5 wing went into what this most recent season meant to him, despite the team’s success not necessarily going to plan.

“I just wanted to prove that I’m a player who can play in this league for years to come,” he said. “I’m an elite defender. I work on my game a lot. You can see that I’ve put in a lot of work. My 3-point percentage went up, and I had career-highs in points per game and shooting percentage. I feel like with my role in this league, I can be an elite 3-and-D player. But I’m not just limiting myself to that. I can also get to the cup, a floater, and different types of finishes, working the baseline with cuts while playing off the ball.”

Highsmith, 27, averaged a career-most 6.1 points on 46.5 percent shooting this season, including knocking down a career-high 39.6 percent of his 2.9 triple tries per game (58.4 3-point rate). He also hauled in 3.2 rebounds per game with 1.1 assists and 0.8 steals across 20.7 minutes per game.

“Back to the 3-point shooting, I was at 40 percent,” Highsmith said. “I proved I could defend and space the floor at a high level while playing off superstars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. I was trying to prove that I belong and can add value to teams in different ways with my defense, shooting, and whatever the team needs from me.”

He wasn’t always respected by opposing defenses, which occasionally compromised the team’s spacing around Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, two non-shooters. But Highsmith knocked 40.3 percent of his spot-up 3-pointers, which made up all but 10 of his 191 long-range tries across 2023-24. Among Heat players who attempted at least 50 spot-up 3s, his percentage superseded Duncan Robinson (39.5 percent), Terry Rozier (39.4), Nikola Jovic (39.0), Josh Richardson (36.5), Caleb Martin (34.9), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (34.4) and Kevin Love (33.6), respectively.

It was remarkable growth from his first full season with the Heat in 2022-23, where he netted just 34.0 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-point tries, a mark that placed T-4 among 10 qualifiers (min. 50 C&S 3PA).

“A lot of work. Two-a-days, three-a-days, early mornings, late nights, repetition, confidence, and staying in the gym locked in,” Highsmith told Scotto when asked about what he attributed his 3-point success to. “A lot of people don’t know how much work we put in during the offseason and during the season, like coming in after practice and doing a late night or early the next morning. The work is showing, and that was a good improvement from last year.”

Highsmith is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but the Heat will have his bird rights, meaning they can sign him for any amount up to the max. He reiterated in the same interview that he wants to return to the team he’s called home for the last three years. The Heat have a complicated cap sheet they must figure out this summer. But Highsmith, who’s made $1.8 million and $1.9 million over the last two seasons, respectively, isn’t worried about the money.

“Humbly, I’m grateful to be in a position like this. It doesn’t matter how much I make if it’s $10 or $15 million per year,” he said“I’ll push myself to be the hardest worker on the team, continue to get better, be a contributor by guarding the best player, knock down shots, do what it takes to win, stay in my role, and help win championships. 

“I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, and nothing’s going to change as far as whatever I get paid. I’ll still be a hard worker, get in the gym early, and put that extra work in to help the team win games and a championship.”

***

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Reality Czech

Kat isn’t mobile,
Kat is a fake shooter….
I want to trade 3 players for Kat.
🎵 What a difference a day made
24 little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Mmm, where there used to be rain 🎼

heat for life

dont know what anybody looks like here but doubt theres a cooler looking dude than sunman.

ManilaHeat

Not me for sure….I’m an egghead lol

oregoner

i saw that picture of sunman, and I can 100% guarantee I do not look that cool

heat for life

kat bam butler terry jjj whos down for that 5.

oregoner

definitely not butler

SunManFromDogBone

Butler doesn’t like him. Why did Jimmy want out of Minnesota?
The reason for the request, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, was that Butler had “been frustrated with the nonchalant attitudes of younger teammates — specifically Karl-Anthony Towns” and didn’t “intend to sign an extension with the Timberwolves” because of it.

heat for life

u think jimmy wants to go to an org that passed on him for tobias coolman.dont think so.u dont think theirs a little bitterness,only team i can see jimmy going to is la hes so hollywood now help his acting career.maybe him lebron and dwade can do a movie together what would u name the movie coolman THE THREE ?stooges is taken

SunManFromDogBone

L.A. doesn’t have the assets. Maybe Golden State, Clippers, Knicks, Houston. Nawlens, or Orlando. If San Diego had a team, there for sure. Movie title? La la land.

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

The Golden State Warriors are facing a closing championship window and will be aggressive in looking to add veteran talent to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green this offseason. Butler could make a lot of sense for a team that has maximized two-way wings in the past. What would the Heat say to a package built around Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed contract (which the Heat could waive and save $30 million against the cap) Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and draft picks?

Jonathan Kuminga: PF/SF 6-8, 210lb Born: October 62002 (Age: 21)
2023-24 G74, PTS 16.1TRB 4.8 AST 2.2 FG% 52.9 FG3% 32.1 (Carrer 34.1)
2024-2025 Salary: $7,636,000

Moses Moody: SG 6-6 205lb Born: May 31, 2002 (Age 23 on Friday)
2023-2024 G 66, PTS 8.1TRB 3.0 AST 0.7 FG% 46.2 FG3% 36.0 (Carrer 36.2)
2024-2025 Salary: $5,803,000

Chris Paul: Non-Guaranteed Salary: $30,000,000 (Waive)

2026 & 2029 1st Round Picks

Miami can trade Herro, plus GS picks to Cleveland for Mitchell or Herro plus 1 pick to Atlanta for Murray.Miami can use the $30M savings from Chris Paul waiver to recruit or trade for a starting C or PF.Miami can use 2024 draft pick or trade up using future draft pick to draft a C. Possible Heat Rotation:
Rozier, Mitchell, Kuminga, Bam, (Claxton, Valanciunas, Hartenstien?)
JRich, Duncan, Jaquez, Jovic, Edey?/Love

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
Reality Czech

Make it so. Engage!

Big_guy305

Get pat on the phone ASAP.

heat for life

id love to have kat on our team look at his #s over his career

heat for life

dramond green can retire tomorrow and get job in television hes excellent

ManilaHeat

Doggies live to fight another day. This might go 6 games

heat for life

kyrie just lost them the game what was that pass lol

heat for life

kat great game tonight whos not trading ty dunc niko for him.minn would want more at least one 2 wayer

ManilaHeat

Maybe Jimmy is staying. His ad with the Bad Boys just came out lol

SunManFromDogBone

Sixers Willing To Extend Butler If Heat Star Becomes Available In TradeMay 28th, 2024 at 5:01pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Philadelphia is in the rare position of being a playoff contender with the ability to absorb a huge salary. The Sixers could have close to $65MM in cap space this summer and they’ll also have five first-round picks and multiple pick swaps available to trade, beginning at the start of the draft

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/miami-heat

Big_guy305

If that’s true, we should get 3 to 4 1st round picks, with kj Martin,oubre, and bamba or Reed maybe 🤔

SunManFromDogBone

Philly only has 3 players under contract next year, (Embiid, Reed and Council) plus Maxey to be extended Miami would get 3-4 picks plus cash relief which they could use for free agents and/or trades. Many options.

Big_guy305

Four 1st round picks and I’m sold.

SunManFromDogBone

Me too, plus Paul Reed as back-up center. Gets Miami under the cap and gives Riley ammo to draft, trade and bring in free agents.

  • Heat would still have Bam, Rozier, Herro, Duncan, Jaquez, Jovic and Robinson under contract.
  • 15th pick
  • Martin, Love, Richardson and Bryant have player options.
  • Highsmith, Cain, Wright, Swider, Willams and Mills are free agents.
Big_guy305

Hmm interesting can’t wait to see what does..

Reality Czech

Interesting. With the 15 and 16 pick, there’s a chance we could get Carter AND Edey or other good choices there, as well as the #43 pick. With the additional picks, they could flip Herro plus another player plus 2 or 3 picks for Mitchell or a similar A level player.

HHHFAN4Life

If Mia does trade butler they have plenty of options, I also like that hou one as well.

SunManFromDogBone

Exactly! Many options, with Herro or Duncan included in any trades

heat for life

jims a mia guy i believe he wants to stay here.hes still our best player.if bam is our best player next year maybe a playin team

HHHFAN4Life

“If bam is our best player next year maybe a playin team”

Been in the playin (8th seed) these last 2 years with Jimmy as the best player. If the playin is with bam as the main guy I’d take that trade off.

Last edited 6 months ago by HHHFAN4Life
Reality Czech

If Mitchell (or similar player) is on the roster next season, and Butler isn’t, you’d have a newer, younger, ‘best’ player, and a ton more flexibility to bring other players in. In other words, the team likely would be better. However, having said that, I still believe that Riley will keep Butler unless Butler demands a trade.

SunManFromDogBone

He wants max money more, I think. If he accepts discount for extension ok. If not, trade him the sooner the better. Philly and Houston will give him max money. A few other teams too.

Reality Czech

The idea of feelings of ‘bitterness’ is bogus. He is good friends with Embiid and the management who didn’t give him the extension aren’t there.

oregoner

I saw that rumor also. I think if Philly wants to pay Jimmy Butler sixty million dollars per year until he’s 40, more power to them. I’ll even root for them to beat the Celtics next season.

But Riley isn’t trading for draft picks and cap space. I think the best case scenario is that Philly gets Butler, Miami gets Mitchell, and the Cavs get draft picks from Miami and Philly.

SunManFromDogBone

I think Cleveland would want Herro and Jaquez rather than a few draft picks.

Big_guy305

Agreed, I like that scenario 👌

oregoner

Feels like this Pacers team was ahead in every game but could never close it out. I should go to the Celtics page and ask them which team won more quarters, I know that’s a big deal to those guys

ManilaHeat

Some are already celebrating their 18th banner. Hope to see them again next season playoffs.

ManilaHeat

Epic meltdown. Several games. Pacers will have to learn from this. Or they might not recover. No excuse even if their top player is injured. I feel sorry for them. Congrats Celts for a cakewalk in the finals.

vagibugi

Congrats Celts? Never.

SunManFromDogBone

Correction. Cake walk to the finals. Mavs won’t be a cakewalk. If Boston doesn’t sweep first two at home, they may be in trouble.

ManilaHeat

…going to the finals. Thanks. I was hoping Wolves will give them the rude awakening but I guess I underestimated the Luka + Kyrie duo. So finals will be a crying game between Luka, Tatum and Brown lol

SunManFromDogBone

Lol. Crying game if KAT had made it too

vagibugi

Luka forgot to complain lately. Thats why he is even better then he was.

Reality Czech

Good grief, the Pacers blow yet another game. 0-4.

ManilaHeat

Sad story for them. Boston owned east via injured competition. Their real test would be finals.

Big_guy305

Just seen earlier they had a dirty play from brown that look like face palm clothesline, that wasn’t even a flagrant. Also so much for having a championship winning coach and player. All that championship experience but still blowing games and getting swept. At least we won 1 …

Iknowtoomuch

I played in that era. A healthy Walton would literally destroy these current centers in the league. Imagine an Earl Monroe or Pistol Pete? One can only dream…RIP Bill.

heat for life

being an ex hippy from the 60s it saddens me that bill walton died today.

SunManFromDogBone

Talkin about an ex-hippie…I am the same age as Bill. Both Scorpios born in the Year of the Dragon. May he rest in peace.

Dude
heat for life

is that u sunman

SunManFromDogBone
heat for life

u look like the old wrestler kevin sutherland with long hair.u ever heard of him.

SunManFromDogBone

Nope. Not even close.

heat for life

ronnie van zandt?skynyrd

SunManFromDogBone

He died 47 years ago at the age of 29. I have no clue what he would look like now. Several folks have asked me if I’m a bass player. lol

heat for life

i meant his brother whos still fronting skynyrd bro

Reality Czech

Cool dude, bro!

SunManFromDogBone

Thangya vera mush (Fat Elvis impression).

vagibugi

Life is good to you. Keep going, Sunman.

SunManFromDogBone

Thanks. I looker younger than I feel. Age has a way of catching up to you As Mickey Mantle said: “If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself “

Big_guy305

You look good for your age sunman.

SunManFromDogBone

Thanks Big Guy. My mind thinks I’m 20 and my body feels like it’s about 120. Add together and divide by 2 comes out about right.

Big_guy305

LOL my body already breaking down a lil and I’m half your age.

SunManFromDogBone

Heads Up! Start taking care of it now or pay later.

Reality Czech

Doobie Brothers Pat Simmons

IMG_2407
Bout30man

I am born in 52 also.,Loved Walton. I had long hair five years ago. Mine was much puffier, had to wear it in a ponytail almost all the time or my wife didn’t like it.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bout30man
SunManFromDogBone

I use ponytail hair ties sometimes and even metal hair bands once in a while. I wouldn’t recognize myself if I cut my hair and shaved.

Reality Czech

The worst part about all this disagreeing and speculation is we have to deal with it for another 30 days. Doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks or hopes for, or the opinion of the resident Heat hater. We won’t know until we know, and then we’ll just have to live with the results.
For me, again, I’d be happy with a Dejounte or similar pickup and one of the talented bigs. J Rich will likely stay, resign Delon, promote a couple of the G leaguers, fill in with fair priced quality bench players.

HHHFAN4Life

Frustration from all parties involved especially the way the season ended. But Mia needs to upgrade its roster and to me the only untouchable bam maybe jjj everybody else should be for sale dgaf who mad about it or who feeling get hurt. Someone commented this earlier either they keep up or fall behind this current nba. Where the stars of the 2020s are taking over high time Mia gets on board

ManilaHeat

Live with the results…we just have to eat what Pat puts on the plate. However which way, Go Heat!

SunManFromDogBone

This is the best video I have seen to support taking Zach Edey with the 15th pick, if he is available. There only a few teams with a dynamic power forward who can be paired with Edey because of his athletic limitations. Miami with Bam is one of them. Edey has been compared to Jonas Valanciunas or Yao Ming. If he is anything close to either, Miami cannot afford to pass him up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-7g14sAXeY

heat for life

he dwarfs val lol.not the perfect player especially defensively.but 7 4 with skills hes gotta be the choice if there.doubt he’ll be at 15

Iknowtoomuch

Heat need tough physical two way players. Even with a healthy Butler they would’ve still been annihilated in the playoffs. The regular season does have meaning. Real simple…if a guy can’t play defense then he doesn’t play.

heat for life

amen.little to late spobot kept on putting a 1960s player out there getting anihilated every game and tys no better

HHHFAN4Life

That’s pat type players he can live vicariously though Tyler Duncan jovic and to a lesser extent JJJ

heat for life

white slower non athletic players ok hope not

2qbn

Duncan and Tyler have been on the Heat team that has gone to two Finals and 3 ECF’s. Can they be upgraded, sure. But to act like that deal is obvious or that they are worthless is classic HFL

HHHFAN4Life

In today’s nba they are bench players who shouldn’t ever be starting. Yes including Tyler, they both should be rotation pieces only again not startes. I can’t think of anybody in the east that have a combo as bad as them to and they start here

heat for life

thats a major problem yes.ty can get some minutes,but to have had him in against boston in the playoffs few years ago at the end of the game he was getting destroyed every play bost ran they targeted him .cant belive spo just left him in .10 mins of ty maybe 5 for dunc at most.coaches not perfect 2qbn they f up 2 .

heat for life

who would u rather have next to bam going forward kat or niko.kat was the #1 pick btw 28yrs old career 23pts 11 reb 53% 40%.niko stats not worth posting,bye ty n dunc to.

2qbn

All fans have been doing since the season ended is compare guys stats and say oh this guy is better. But look around at what’s actually happening. Players with experience AND that dog in them are going to make the Finals. Not Kat or Embiid or Brunson or Ant or any of these stat guys. Meanwhile the fanbase wants to trade away our one guy who has that DNA and he’s the same age as Lebron when he won his last championship.

But yeah let’s trade a bunch of guys for stats that will fold like a lawn chair in the playoffs.

FML lol

SunManFromDogBone

LeBron’s last title was his fourth. How many has Butler won? LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds in 71 games this season at the age of 39 and his career stats of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists are better than any single year in Butler’s career, by a wide margin. So please stop comparing the two. Butler has never came close to those stats in his life and never will.

What are your plans for Butler if he continues declining next season? Extend him for $200M+ and hope he delivers when he’s 37-38? There’s at least a 50-50 chance Butler’s best years are behind him. Herro is never going to be a good two-way player or an all-star. Duncan has one year guaranteed on his contract and a second year not fully guaranteed.

If there was ever a time for Miami to pivot toward the future, it is this summer. Waiting to see if Butler is up to the task might put Miami’s ability to compete at the highest level in jeopardy for the next several years as other, younger, more athletic teams continue evolving and improving.

2qbn

Jimmy is still under contract for this upcoming year. As Pat said, they don’t need to do anything. I personally think Jimmy can have another good season or two, but that being said, unless he demands a trade, they’re not trading him. He is the reason this team has had chances to win and they’re not going to trash that relationship by sending him to OKC.

This team is in a good position. The only reason Boston was able to avoid several years of tanking was because they had 3 aging vets at the same time and a team like the Nets bailed them out with picks. The Heat only have one aging vet that they truly count on and that is Jimmy. When a team is built like that it sets up perfectly for the transition to the next phase without having to go through The Process. We have Bam, Terry in his prime, All NBA Rookie First team in JJJ, our most improved player is 20, we have our pick with some solid looking players in that range, and we have Herro as trade bait. Herro is the one who is probably going to be traded. We’ll obviously have to throw someone else in from JJJ to Niko to Duncan, but that move is about the max this team will do this year without some star demanding out and limiting his trade destinations.

Personally I like the trade for Murray, but no idea why the Hawks would do it for the players mentioned. But there will be something that develops that nobody talking about right now.

2qbn

I should have added that if they can’t trade Herro and they keep him, you make him 6th man again. That is a role he thrives in and we need to start worrying about team performance and not feelings because of contracts. Hell, Duncan found out and he ended up making a nice career turnaround

heat for life

if u think dunc can play your not watching these playoff games.name one duncan like defender playing in the final four

2qbn

Duncan can play for what he’s paid to do. News flash, teams need offense and sometimes those guys off the bench are specialists. Duncan creates more than your eyes can see. Think about it, do you think Spo and freaking Riley, two defensive minded guys, would be playing and paying Duncan just for his defense. Bruh lol

Take Kyrie Irving. Do you think he’s a good defender? At best he’s average, but he provides enough offense to offset that.

SunManFromDogBone

Swider can be developed to take Duncan’s place. Kyrie scored 33 points last night against the #1 defense in the NBA. When is the last time Duncan did that?

2qbn

Kyrie was the #1 pick, but nice try.

SunManFromDogBone

You compared their defense. I compared their offense. So there’s that.

2qbn

I was comparing how not all players are great defenders and their value comes from offense. If all NBA players were two way players then there would be minimal roster building.

SunManFromDogBone

Just the same, if I have a choice, I’ll take a two-way player or a cheap one-way player until I can get a two-way. Neither Herro nor Robinson are cheap ($48.4M combined next season).

heat for life

all nba guards and forwards can score or else they wouldnt be playing in nba.unfort especially for the heat not all are athletically gifted or as strong as others.

heat for life

comeon kyries a ss plays ok d,duncs a scrub plays no d.fastest to 1000 3s ok 85% your shots are 3s got a good shot at it.coaches are not perfect they make mistakes to,duncs a mistake.mcdermott never plays,joe harris bye bye those type players cant play anymore.gotta guard .tj and pritchett are tough defenders not great but playable

Big_guy305

Tj is a underrated defender and Pritchard isnt a tough or good defender, Pritchard d is worst then Duncan’s or close to it.

2qbn

Right! People acting like every player on the 4 teams left are these great defenders. Hilarious. Loving the laughs, though

SunManFromDogBone

“4 teams left” is the key. Miami was lucky to be one of the 16 teams involved in the playoffs. Two other teams with the same record (Sacto and GS) didn’t make it in because they had tougher competition.

Big_guy305

I can name a bad defender on every team remaining, and pacers have more then any of the teams combined. But Defense isn’t our issue with the exception of rim protection, and blocks. Scoring and rebounding is are biggest weaknesses.

SunManFromDogBone

Indiana went “all in” on offense and ignored defense. That’s why they were #1 in scoring. So, if we can get rim protection, scoring, blocks and rebounding in one player, we go for it, right?

Big_guy305

Yes Exactly, but let’s see what Riley preference of big is out of edey, filipowski, ware, holmes, or missi. Also Don’t rule out Carter, who I think is the best 2 way guard coming out in my opinion.

Reality Czech

I agree about Carter.

SunManFromDogBone

Filipowski is another Olynyk. Been there…done that. Need inside defender, rebounder, scorer, banger, shot blocker …not a softy.

Big_guy305

If filipowski is Kelly o then edey is gobert. Even though i think filipowski is more kevin love then kelly o. I would take Kelly o over gobert just because you will be able to play him off the floor in the playoffs like gobert. Plus Kelly o provides spacing and played his best D in miami. Look he probably isn’t the the caliber of an inside defender that edey is, but he will provide better perimeter d then edey. Also Kyle fits the system better just because his spacing, and passing. I wouldn’t be surprised if spo treated edey like big yurt. Also Kyle will still get you 8-10 rebounds, almost 2 blocks. Don’t forget he still 7 feet 250, so he can bang with the big boys. Most centers nowadays weight like 230-240, outside of embiid and jokic. On top of that Kyle got better foot speed and is already a better passer and shooter. If we starting 2 bigs I rather do Denver big style then wolves big style. Anyways I would be happy with any of those 2, I would go with ware tho tbh over those 2. Ware is a better perimeter defender, and probably 3rd best rim protector after sarr and edey. He still 240, can bang, and is the 3rd best shooter of the 7 footers and a block artist too. He would fit better then edey or filipowski.

Last edited 6 months ago by Big_guy305
heat for life

name a bad defender on ind pls i cant

Big_guy305

Haliburton, nembhard, Nesmith all have defensive ratings above 118.

heat for life

great no .great is top 10% capable can defend yes all of them.even luka has made some really nice defensive plays but hes luka so who gives an f.even if he played d like dunc it wouldnt matter.dunc and tys offensive #s nothing to write home about either

SunManFromDogBone

Duncan’s defense has improved. Herro’s defense sucks.

heat for life

no not true hes a tough sob doesnt take sht please watch the games hes ok below avg maybe but playable.not only is dunc d bad but hes dum thats major part of his problem.ty is just to weak to defend.they both need to go.2 wayers only big.weve said this before.id rather have a guy that can defend wright jrich any day ova ty or dunc.all these cats can score.look at their college stats

Big_guy305

I agree we need more 2 way players, and Pritchard might be a lil tough, but his D still trash. He gets killed by every top guard, and his lack of size doesn’t do him any favors. His D is equal to or slightly worse then dunc.

SunManFromDogBone

TJ McConnell is my favorite spark plug off the bench. That due has game! Scrappy lil mf!

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
Reality Czech

What a laugh! As if we don’t pay attention to the games and only he does. The same guy that says….
Kat isn’t mobile,
Kat is a fake shooter….
And, I want to trade 3 players for Kat.
Huh?

Reality Czech

If I remember correctly, when watching the Heat get to the finals last season, they were playing a Duncan like player – Duncan Robinson.

SunManFromDogBone

Duncan’s trade value is high. Good time to trade him for a back-up big man like Stewart, who could be Miami’s version of Naz Reid.

Big_guy305

Agreed, we gotta trade Duncan, while his value is high. Swiderman can take dunc spot, and can potentially become a better defender.

SunManFromDogBone

If they don’t trade Jimmy or negotiate a cutrate/discounted extension before the deadline they are s-c-r-e-w-e-d. He can opt out next season and leave Miami with their collective thumbs where the sun don’t shine. Right now Pat has leverage. One day after the 2025 trade deadline he will lose it.

2qbn

Then let him opt out. There aren’t left with nothing. Cap space is something. Could they get a little more, of course. That is what is done in basketball and baseball. But cap space isn’t nothing

SunManFromDogBone

Excellent point! In that case, they are better off trading him now to Philly for cap space AND draft picks. Jus sayin.

heat for life

knicks whole team got hurt.otherwise they beat overrated boston

SunManFromDogBone

They could have beat Dallas too, if healthy. NY is going to be hell next year. Most physical team in the league.

HHHFAN4Life

Same dog on Mia that avg 15 ppl vs top 10 defensive teams? Same dog that is ho hum in the reg season? Same dog that has missed games in the playoffs? Same dog who didn’t show up in the finals?

Reality Czech

Why do we have to choose between Kat and Jovic? It’s ridiculous. The differences are huge. Kat is averaging about $50+ million a year, Jovic is on a rookie contract. Jovic is 8+ years younger. Kat hasn’t won jacks-t. If you want to pair someone with Bam, maybe Jovic isn’t the answer, but Kat definitely isn’t either!!!

HHHFAN4Life

Agreed KAT shouldn’t be nowhere near a Miami heat practice facility let alone on the team. Dudes been an absolute no show and he’s not about winning no matter how talented he is or some may think he is. Smiling and laughing postgame last night. No thank you.

SunManFromDogBone

Crybaby KAT. 7′ p***y. KAT and Gobert are chumps in the playoffs. Minnesota can keep them!

Iknowtoomuch

Yes, do agree major additions are necessary for Heat to compete next season. Adding physical size & physical two way players are an absolute must. Heat are just not physical enough period. Too many guys targeted on defense…dudes just straight lining thru our supposed toughest, meanest, yada, yada defense like a layup drill. (They also need to ditch those silly tough guy slogans on the playing floor, walls & merch) Don’t have any specifics how…but it’s looking like the Heat brass need to strike oil in the company parking lot somehow this summer to be relevant going forward.

2qbn

Every team has a weakness. For example, the Wolves biggest weakness is their perennial DPOY. Lol ain’t that a b!tch

heat for life

when u have a tom brady type player covers up weaknesses with ws

2qbn

Who is the Wolves Tom Brady? lol because as of right now, they don’t have one. Ant has his team down in a 3-0 hole, so hopefully you were talking about someone else or another team 🙂 Maybe you meant in general

heat for life

ant.hes playing vs kyrie luka and 4 great defenders.allen has to play mahomes. manning had to play brady.ants gonna be the next michael jordan possibly hes 22 not his time yet.even jordan had to wait a year or 2 get past detroit

2qbn

Agree that he needs to go through this to become that player, but he’s not there yet, and that okay. But it goes to my central point that tanking or doing anything similar puts you at several years off ever getting back. You have to make the right picks, truly get lucky AF like the Spurs getting 1st three times and getting Robinson, Duncan and Wemby, then the players you drafted have to get their playoff battle scars with no guarantee those scars will lead to anything. Embiid has a lot of playoff scars lol

SunManFromDogBone

A weakness is one thing, multiple weaknesses are something else. Here’s a few eye opening stats for you to consider. I have.

ITEM/MIAMI RANK
Blocks – 30th
FG Made – 28th
Rebounds – 26th
Off Rebounds – 26th
Points – 26th
FG% – 22nd
3 Pts Made – 19
Assists – 18
Winning % – 16
Steals – 15

You may be happy with those stats. I’m not and I doubt most Heat fans are. The solutions are:
1) Acquisition of better frontcourt players to rebound, defend, block shots, score in the paint and spread the floor
2) Acquisition of athletic two-way players to replace one-way players
3) Continued development of our younger players
4) Continued acquisition and development of undrafted and undervalued players.
5) Continued acquisition and strategic use of affordable productive veteran players

SunManFromDogBone

OK let’s have a show of hands. How many of you think Miami has a chance in hell of competing against Boston or Dallas without significant upgrades?

oregoner

Miami literally eliminated Boston last season. They’re 2-2 over the past 5 years, and they’ve both won the East twice.

Is Boston better than Miami this year? Yeah, no shit. Miami made the play-in and lost in the first round, Boston made the Finals.

But yeah, I don’t think the Heat need to rebuild the foundation. I think they need to upgrade around the edges like Boston did last offseason, and have healthy players all season like Boston did this season. If those two things happen, hell yeah I like the Heat’s chances against Boston.

ManilaHeat

I just smile every time the idea crosses mind that Celtics made major changes to compete with an eight seed. So funny and gratifying

SunManFromDogBone

You are talking about lthe past. I’m talking about the future.

Holiday and Porzingas were not just “upgrades around the edges.” Those “minor upgrades” resulted in Boston being the number one team in the conference by a wide margin (14 games) and #1 offense and #2 defense in the league. With the exception of Bam, Boston’s starting unit is far better than Miami’s…across the board. Without upgrades at SG and PF/C (depending on what position Bam plays next season) Miami will continue to be a mediocre team.
P.S. Butler ain’t gettin any younger.

oregoner

when you say I’m talking about the past and you’re talking about the future, what I hear is that I’m talking about what we both know to be true, and you’re talking about what you think.

Yes, the Celtics got better this season. That’s why they’re going to the Finals. Yes, Miami needs to get better. They had plenty of chances to make a push at the end of the season and couldn’t do it. But the chasm between these teams isn’t wide.

Porzingas is injury prone and Holiday and Horford are older than Butler. And Boston is capped out to infinty. Miami has a stable of under-25 guys like Herro, Jaquez, and Jovic. Boston’s bench and young guys stink. They’re winning a title on the backs of 2 stars and a bunch of old guys. That’s not sustainable.

In the end, the Heat will compete for a title again because they always do. Just like Boston. The Pacers will always be good. The Wizards will always be trash.

When you say I’m talking about the past, I’m just saying the things we both know to be true. The Heat are good every year. So the Heat will be good again next season. And if not, they’ll fix it.

Last edited 6 months ago by oregoner
SunManFromDogBone

Correction…Holiday is 33. Butler is older…34. Horford is still going strong from what I’ve seen in the playoffs, especially with Porzingas out. I believe he sank seven 3-pointers in their last win vs Indiana.

If by good you mean having a winning record. I agree. The Heat should be above .500 next season. 18 of the NBA’s 30 teams were this year. If you mean good enough to win a championship, I disagree. The team has the heart…just not enough talent.

  • Herro needs to be replaced by a legit two-way SG.
  • Riley either has to s**t or get off the pot with Butler. Either pay him or trade him.
  • Bam needs help in the paint (either a big two-way PF or C).
  • The team needs more frontcourt depth off the bench.
  • The longer the Butler and Herro issues linger, the more pressure it places on everyone. The last thing Miami needs is two disgruntled players (Herro and Butler) wondering when the hammer is going to drop on them. Better to trade them this summer and get it over with. I’m sure Pat can get a legit frontcourt player for Herro and an all-star level SG for Butler.
  • The Heat can probably draft a good back-up C or PF or get one if they trade Duncan.
  • If Butler is traded for a SG, Jaime and Niko can cover the SF position.
2qbn

This is the chicken little phase of the offseason. Happens every year. It’s amazing what watching an injured Heat team has done to this fanbase.

I agree with you. The team isn’t that far off. Boston stays relevant as much as possible which is what you have to do to win. Your team needs to be pretty good and healthy. Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, but being in position year in and year out is how you will win in the new NBA. Not loading up on a big 3 surrounded by minimum contracts.

2qbn

Apologies to the downvoters but this team isn’t going to tank or trade everyone. Stay strong, guys

heat for life

minor lol

ManilaHeat

Healthy Heat I always believe has a chance vs the rest of them. Call it fan bias but I’m always optimistic. And got this fool’s hope every time lol

SunManFromDogBone

I’m optimistic too, but I try to balance it with realism. In basketball as in life, you must evolve or get left behind. The way I see it, there are several teams who are evolving in the NBA and several others that aren’t. At the moment, Miami isn’t keeping pace with the better teams in the league. This past season, Miami finished in the bottom half of the standings (tied for 16th with Golden State and Sacramento…two non-playoff teams).

Big_guy305

I think we need significant upgrades because the league gets better every year. if we had Jimmy and Terry against Boston, I think we take them to 6 or 7 because we always play them good In playoffs. I think Dallas would handle us though, but we would do better than the wolves. Either way I still think we need significant grades. Jimmy or no Jimmy, we still need a good pf/c to pair with bam, and a legit number 1 scoring option, or someone close to that.

heat for life

problem is 30 teams are trying to upgrade the only guy any of these teams would want would be jim or bam.nobody else brings much back.one way ty wont bring u much back.rozier was released by charlotte or traded for turtle same thing.dont see major upgrades attainable(porz holiday )little tweaks pj gafford more likely will help us.give jim 2 more years to win a chip and then reload.

Big_guy305

Even if we can’t get major upgrades, at minimum we have to get a 2 way big to pair with bam. If we can’t get a Mitchell, Murray, or even an Ingram. If can’t get any of those, then we should get a 2 way sg like kcp, or draft a combo 2 way guard like carter. Or slide Jimmy down to sg, let niko be Sf, and slot a big next to bam, whether that be from the draft, trade,or free agency.

Last edited 6 months ago by Big_guy305
Reality Czech

Give me Dajounte Murray and one of Edey, Ware, Misi, and I think we can compete.

oregoner

I think a lot of fan bases are getting excited about Edey. I think he’s a top-10 pick. The Spurs alone have 4 & 8, I doubt they pass on him twice. An Edey/Wemby frontcourt would be terrifying.

2qbn

The two teams on their way to The Finals do not have a player like Edey. This is not a coincidence. You can’t have just size with no shooting out on the court for extended periods of time, especially in the playoffs. There is no way Edey gets drafted by the Heat.

Big_guy305

Also you gotta have bigs that can switch and defend well, or they will get played off the floor, like Kat, and Rudy. Or you gotta be willing to go small ball if your bigs can’t defend in the clutch, but for that to work, we gotta have that scoring punch close to the caliber of a Luka or kyrie.

vagibugi

There is a difference. Heat at full strength can compete with Celtics. But I m not sure, if any of east teams can compete with Dallas, Denver or Minnesota in other way then with extremely hot shooting.

heat for life

jims year older .bam hasnt gotten taller.ty n dunc couldnt guard my grandmother.playin 8th seed team

heat for life

when healthy were as good as boston.dallas minn denver a diff level i believe

oregoner

Well, it looks like Dallas vs Boston in the NBA Finals. Literally my two least favorite franchises in the league. At least the Sixers still stink

ManilaHeat

LuKyrie vs JayJay
But one more game for both series. Let’s see who can close the deal.

oregoner

looking at this just makes me sad Anthony Edwards is out. I honestly don’t think I’ll watch the Finals. I want both teams to lose

heat for life

ant has to learn to lose first.his time is coming

Reality Czech

Gobert, dpoy, brought 5 players, 4 firsts, 1 pick swap, and they have to sit him periodically due to matchups. Be careful what you wish for. Bam doesn’t need to sit.
And no thanks to Kat.

ManilaHeat

They still have a very good lineup imo. Got exposed by Mavs w/c I think are more balanced. Something we hope for the Heat. Also that Luka+Kyrie pairing is working nicely.

vagibugi

True, even Hardy put him on skates.
KAT is overrated, Jimmy can tell that for a long time.

heat for life

kat for dunc ty niko.hes a very good player big

oregoner

KAT on the Heat? Do you even stop to think before you suggest these things?

Reality Czech

No

oregoner

I would honestly rather get Michael Beasley out of retirement.
Fifth time’s a charm!

vagibugi

The game of basketball is not about who is choking the best.

Sundayafternoons

Y’all must of missed the Ringer article.

I’d do that trade very very quickly. The skillset is there and it seems the mindset has grown leaps and bounds.

That’s a yes for me dog.

ManilaHeat

Nope. Butler, if he stays, is gonna kill the guy

oregoner

Riley would kill him Butler would drive the getaway car. Spo would move practice to the other side of the court and keep going

heat for life

has rudy made a good def player how the f can he win dpoy.just cause hes a giant.ok we get edey we’ll have dpoy i guess

heat for life

kat 4 for 32 if hes 10 for 32 theyre up 2 1.kats a fake good shooter

heat for life

luka kyrie are amazing if their gm doesnt acquire pj and gafford theyre done by now.at the time of the acquisitions pat was sailing the mediterranean

oregoner

Seriously. It’s been almost an entire year since Pat made the NBA Finals. What is wrong with that guy?

Reality Czech

Yeah, he’s a real slacker who has done nothing lately.

heat for life

kat lacks mobility.prob could stand to lose a few lbs.dallas gm built a hevkuva team.hope lively is ok

Big_guy305

Crazy stat for Kat, the last 5 games, he’s 4 for 32 from 3, which is atrocious. He’s plays like sf, when he should be in the paint more against mismatches.

heat for life

career 40% 3pt shooter.picked wrong time to suck

Big_guy305

Doesn’t matter if you got mismatches with a smaller players, you got take them in post for easy buckets, especially if you’re shooting bad. He got the same weakness as porzingas, you can stick him with smaller players. Kat has the worst 3pt percentage in conference finals series history with 13.6 percent. Get yo big ass in the post.

Last edited 6 months ago by Big_guy305
Big_guy305

GAMEOVER GAFFORD WITH A DESTRUCTIVE ALLEY OOP DUNK. Kat is a fake big man, another trash night for him, 0-8 from 3 is putrid. Svg just called Luka and kyrie, the most talented backcourt in nba history.

Last edited 6 months ago by Big_guy305
heat for life

hes said that before.or other announcers have said it.jordan paxson.no

Big_guy305

Splash bros too

heat for life

yeah thats a good one heard the boys mention that.frazier monroe.jordan rc

ZechMerquise

on a vacuum, Highsmith is a decent, rotational player. But the problem is, our roster is already full of ‘decent, rotational’ players. Duncan, jrich, caleb, these guys are redundant

heat for life

2 good players terry is pretty good rest are bench players,jaime might be pretty good might not

oregoner

I think Caleb is probably gone next season. Duncan and J-Rich can’t guard forwards.

heat for life

svg second best announcer first was his brother

heat for life

i believe pat could have gotten kyrie but didnt want to give up ty

heat for life

dallas gm mvp .riley placed 16th in gm voting

heat for life

lively might be 3r best center in nba .now injured by kat.fk kat

Reality Czech

think ind has real good chance to win .im not a big tatum/brown playoff guy.holiday def not same player anymore”
ind doesnt have the butler playoff savvy to beat boston.talented team but halis time is not now”
Not wrong, just changes mind. And Holiday? 48.4% fg%, 40.3% 3p%, 94.1% ft%, and an absolute beast on defense in most of these playoffs.

heat for life

before hali hurt.ind plays no d.holiday hasnt been that good until last few games.left out pts scored let me google 12 pt average this year

vagibugi

Somebody eats posts.

Bout30man

Celtics are so lucky the whole playoffs. And, by the time the other series is over, the winner will have nothing left. Celtics will breeze to a championship untested.

Big_guy305

Yes they’re very lucky smh. This series with pacers was supposed to give them a good challenge, but Rick Carlisle lost them 2 games, coaching like a rookie with his end of game management. Which is crazy because he won a championship smh .They was supposed be up 2-1, now watch him blame the refs 😒 .

Last edited 6 months ago by Big_guy305
oregoner

this Celtics team is a perfect example of why the Heat shouldn’t make any major moves this offseason. Just stay the course as “one of” the best teams in the league, and hope that one year the stars align for championship run.

I agree that the Celtics have gotten lucky as hell this season and are basically going to fall ass-backwards into a championship. But they also put themselves in this position by being one of the best teams in the league every year.

So yeah, this past Celtics offseason should be the blueprint for the Heat. Trade one or two of your starters, but not your best players. Add a couple vets that can play defense and come up big in the playoffs, but no need to rebuild your entire roster. And then just hope things break your way next season

Last edited 6 months ago by oregoner
SunManFromDogBone

Try that until the all star break and if it doesn’t work, then blow it all up and rebuild! Trade Butler, Herro and Duncan for best available players/assets/picks. Pat can retire, Spo can move into his position and Quinn can take over as head coach.

Sound like a plan?

P.S. The only problem is that if Butler, Herro and Duncan suck, their values are going to drop considerably by the all-star break. I would rather trade them while their values are still relatively high.

Last edited 6 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
Bout30man

I think we need changes. I am amongst the biggest Jimmy supporters here, and I will say that you can’t not max Jimmy or he won’t give his all. You may have a lot of load management even if you do max him. And if you max him, how can you get anyone else? The value of our other players, the expendable ones, is not high enough to bring quality back, and we have few picks, and limited money. If you played chess you would know that we are akin to being in checkmate, with the only answer being big change, ie. start over. Comparing us to the Celtics is not even close to apples to apples. And that kind of change is likely not coming, thus my criticism of Pat, as the future is not bright. And without big changes, we will just be another year away from dealing with it and getting competitive again. Next year, we will revisit this off season, and see who was right.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bout30man
2qbn

The future isn’t bright? We have an annual DPOY candidate in his prime. We just placed a rookie on the first team NBA All Rookie team and our most improved player was a 20 year old. We traded for scary Terry, who at the time of his injury, was starting to play like Wade-lite. Plus, he could be used as a trade asset, and if not, we still have Tyler to potentially move for a piece. The team has a 1st round pick in an area of the draft where they have been very successful recently. I understand not wanting to pay Jimmy this max he’s looking for, but that alone is not reason to say the future isn’t bright.

You know what sounds depressing? Tanking with no guarantees that your tank will end up being more successful than all the other 10-12 teams tanking every year.

We never revisit because people say this same thing every year. Then the team, when healthy, exceeds expectations and the same stuff gets said at the start of the next season. Rinse & repeat. One year, though. lol

vagibugi

I like everything you said.
If nothing change, this team will be a playoff team, dangerous to anybody. If Butler will be traded, this is still a playoff team.

Our young players are as good as any young players, other teams has, with rare exceptions.

This is not a title team, and needs improvements in all areas, but the core is solid. we shouldn’t be afraid of future. The next season should be really fun.

Reality Czech

Thank you and others for pointing out the other side of the doomsday argument. It is not about being irrationally optimistic, but, rather, looking at what you have in a strictly business like manner. As you (and SM and others ) point out, do we need more pieces to get better? Of course. And as Vagibugi says, I agree that this team is a playoff team with or without Butler.

Bout30man

I never said the future isn’t bright and we need big changes before, but I am saying it now. I rode the Jimmy train till this offseason. We have the good players you say, and yet we still have some holes. Sometimes we make a mistake in not seeing that despite having some nice players, how do we stack up against everyone else?
I am just being honest about how I see it. You have every right to counter with your assessment and I respect it. But, after all, we are both expressing opinions.
But, let’s say we stay the course with Jimmy, or trade Jimmy and try to add the equivalent whale (which is unlikely but I guess, for discussion, it could happen), or we even more unlikely get another top notch player to somehow play alongside Jimmy and Bam, using trade value we don’t have, picks we don’t have and shouldn’t use as they are our last two, (and pay them with salary that is under the table so it won’t surpass the second apron),or we just try to improve on the edges, or whatever iteration you foresee, and we are again a play-in team or a first round exiter, then most people would not consider that being a true contender.
But, in doing so, in most scenarios above we keep Jimmy, but he got a year older, and we missed out on the best package we can get for him. Or, if we trade him, we are going to need to do something pretty spectacular, as in his prime Jimmy is going to be almost impossible to replace. So it’s a big risk as it could be just putting off the inevitable. And we will have wasted another year towards becoming competitive. Next year, we shall see.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bout30man
vagibugi

Mavs are maybe a good example.

They got Irving last year and missed even a play in. There was another Irving disaster on horizon.

They tanked last game and got Lively on draft.

They played an average ball till trade line, being a play in candidate.

They trade for Gafford at trade line, and they trade for TJ Washington at the trade deadline.

Now, they are in west finals leading 2:0.

A solid rookie and two forgotten players, one playing in one of the worse teams in the league, the other was on the bench in another bad team, and Irving decided that he wants to play,
was enough to change an average team into contender.

So, its not just about money and stars, chemistry and fit are even more important.

Heat, as they are, can improve in the same way, without spending a lot, by getting the right players.

Bout30man