The Miami Heat suffered a big injury blow to their wing rotation on Friday, losing forward Haywood Highsmith for at least the next two months after he underwent meniscus surgery. A two-month timeline likely sidelines him for training camp and potentially for the start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.
While there is still a grey area on whether he’ll miss any meaningful time during the season, who are a few players who could see an uptick in opportunity, should that be the case? Let’s examine three candidates (plus one honorable mention!).
Pelle Larsson:
While he didn’t put up the most flashy numbers as a rookie, Pelle Larsson’s impact transcended the box score. He was one of the Heat’s best point-of-attack defenders, connective passers and cutters, among other things. He averaged just 4.6 points on 54.6 percent true-shooting last season. But he was, by far, their best player in Summer League and is poised to have a breakout second season if given the opportunity. This injury could open up a rotation spot for him in the back-end of the rotation — especially if his shot progresses.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.:
It’s been a roller coaster two seasons for Jaquez, who endured a sophomore slump after finishing fourth in the NBA in Rookie of the Year voting in 2023-24. His 3-point shooting struggles continued in his second season, shooting just 31.1 percent from distance. He also did a poor job developing counters when he was getting to the rim and defender — both individually and as a team defender. I’m not selling any stock yet, but he’ll need to have an encouraging third season if he wants to earn a second contract with Miami (he’s extension-eligible next offseason). This could be the opportunity he needs.
Simone Fontecchio:
Earlier this week, it was floated that the Heat could potentially waive-and-stretch Fontecchio to save luxury tax space. I say floated loosely. I don’t know how much merit there is to that, but what I do know is that Fontecchio — who they acquired in the Duncan Robinson sign-and-trade — has a skill that this team needs: 3-point shooting. He’s a bigger wing and still a little bit of a one-trick pony, but I think he can thrive in a secondary opportunity as a floor spacer off the bench.
Honorable Mention: Keshad Johnson
Johnson didn’t get to showcase much as a rookie. But his skillset is duplicitous to Highsmith’s — and, frankly, I think Johnson has a higher ceiling. I still don’t know if he begins the season in the Heat’s rotation, even with this injury news. But he’s bigger, stronger, more athletic and is capable of being more disruptive defensively than Highsmith — despite being a slightly worse shooter (relative to when Highsmith first entered the NBA). I love his potential, and I hope the Heat gives him more leash to show what he’s truly capable of — even after an uneven summer.
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I had to relog in as my app crashed due to a power surge. Good to be back.
why does it feel like this off-season is sooooooooooooo loooooooong?!
The longer Riley has that bad taste in his mouth from last year’s unforced errors, the better the odds are he won’t make the same mistakes again this year. I’m sure he is working on one or two trades. I wouldn’t doubt that he is exploring options for a game/team changing PG who might be available (e.g., Morant, Young, Giddey, Ball, Fox, etc.). He is also probably busy looking for a third big (PF) to rotate with Ware and Bam. Jovic has the potential to be that third big, if he is willing to change his game and become more physically assertive. He can learn from one of the best, Bam.
P.S. We all seam to forget that Bam only began playing PF the last half of the season. He should be much more comfortable and efficient next season.
Why does Jovic NEVER dunk the basketball it pisses me off
The “Monster Dunk”, elbow in the ribs and run over your ass if you get in my way classes weren’t offered at KK Mega Basket in Serbia where he played before he was drafted.
he gets stripped every time he goes to the hoop thats why
He holds the ball too low. Small guys with fast hands give him problems.
aka not a good handle.hes a guy with lots of skills none are really that good
This is a habit from Europe, where stripping like in NBA does is a certain foul. So nobody does that.
And dunking is overrated. Anybody can do that. Even me in my time.
Nothing much happening. And that’s not particularly good. AUCH says the Heat are likely stuck with Tyler, only trades would be for pennies on the dollar. We will find out this year that a lot of players futures are likely to become more defined, as the Heat can no longer push all these pending situations down the road. To my way of thinking, that’s a good thing.
AUCH probably right about Tyler, his archetype has been the least valued on the trade market, when you see players like Poole,anfernee,sexton, and even our Powell going for scraps. But like you said we will find out this year, if Tyler is part of core going forward. He needs to improve his D more, I want at least 7 assists per game out out of him, and better playoff performances. If not, he will be traded…
Yes, shooting guards, except elite ones and those which can defend, are not valued.
Good outings by Powell, Pelle, and Simone. So-so outing for Jovic with a somewhat pedestrian 9 points and 5 rebounds.
I think simone fontecchio gone get more playing minutes over Jaime Jaquez Jr
He played well for Italy last game.
I wouldn’t be surprised, since tecc 3 point shot is more reliable,and consistent. If Jaquez doesn’t improve, the chances of him being traded will go up greatly. It’s his minutes to lose….the time is ticking on his shot.
If Jovic and Johnson don’t improve, they will also be gone.
Yes sir, they better show what they got this gap year, and if it isn’t good enough they will get the boot as well.
If two of those players earn rotation spots, plus Jovic and/or Larsson, the Heat will have a pretty good rotation to start the season. Miami will still need to acquire a rotation big and and a high volume scorer to bring in off the bench that will be needed in order to compete for a #4-#6 spot in the East.
The Heat will also need to cut down on giving up double digit and late game leads.
cleve ny prob rest maybe maybe not.bench needs major upgrade
The heat will be a 5th or 6th seed an simone fontecchio already has earn a rotation spot he’s most definitely going to get minutes since Highsmith gone be injury I said we should Trade him an buyout rozier for a rotation big and and a high volume scorer