(Photo via Miami Herald)
In a luxury tax saving move, the Miami Heat traded 3 and D wing Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Additionally, Miami attached a 2032 second-round draft pick to move off Highsmith’s $5.6 million salary.
All the Heat got in return in the deal was a heavily protected second-round pick, which they likely won’t have.
Highsmith earned his way into being a staple of coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation over the years. And he was set on having a crucial bench role once again in the 2025-26 season. Despite a decline on the defensive end last year, the undrafted forward still provided two-way versatility as an improved 3-point shooter for the Heat’s depth.
Miami avoided the repeated tax penalty by offloading Highsmith, while also opening another roster spot. They currently have 13 of a possible 15 guys on standard deals, and will have to fill at least one more spot to meet league minimum requirements.
One addition on a veteran minimum contract would still keep them under that tax line. But who are the realistic targets out there that the Heat would consider?
1. Alec Burks
A legitimate argument can still be made that Alec Burks earned his way into another one-year deal with Miami this past season. Yet, he still remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.
He brought professionalism and poise both on and off the court for the Heat last year— and even stepped up as a starter during the late season push into the playoffs.
Burks led Miami in 3-point efficiency as one of the best floor spreaders, brought solid defense on the perimeter and had a high IQ at the age of 34. Considering the Heat will now need to make a cheap addition, a return for Burks should still be in the cards now.
2. Dru Smith
Another former Heat guard eyeing a return heading into the upcoming new campaign is Dru Smith.
Although he’s coming off his second consecutive season-ending injury, Smith has been rehabbing in Miami and is expected to make a full recovery. In the games that Smith appeared in last season, his development in the Heat’s system was on full display.
He became a strong individual defender and point-of-attack threat on the perimeter. His 3-point shot was also improving rapidly, and even earned his fair share of starting minutes while he was ascending in Spoelstra’s rotation.
The Heat can opt to bring Smith back into the fold for a fourth time. And if not now, a midseason signing is still a possibility as well.
3. Kai Jones
It was recently reported that Miami was working out athletic big man Kai Jones. The former first-round pick hasn’t been able to find a steady tenure with a team yet, but there’s still a lot of untapped potential there.
Jones is a young, high flying rim presence on the offensive end. However, he hasn’t shown the ability to spread the floor in his time in the league yet, nor with displaying true upside on the defensive end.
His numbers from a season ago are underwhelming. Per 36 minutes though, Jones put up nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds. If given a real role, the Heat could have something there in the much needed backup big position.
There’s been no updates on Jones/Miami since the initial workout reports. But he could be the perfect low-risk, high-reward addition.
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The Heat offered Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft for Durant and Cody Martin.
ESPN’s Shams Charania previously reported that Miami turned down an opportunity to send Jaquez, Highsmith, Nikola Jović, the No. 20 pick and “other draft assets”
So, the difference was Niko and draft capital, or after the draft, Niko and KJ.
Those two better make us sure this season, that that was the right decision.
As I understand it, this move makes the room for another player,but, as RC explained, not two at the moment, which could change till December.
We need to sign another player, to fill the rooster. That makes possible options:
At least its clear, that something will happen before training camp, whether it be a signing or a trade.
I checked a list of centers in the league. It seems to me, that there are only two types, a starting level type, and those who are borderline NBA players.
Rare backup center quality players are mostly young on the way up or have big contracts.
So not good options in free agency and trade market.
As SunMan pointed out, you actually could sign both Dru and Vlad to regular contracts now because the Vlad contract would be about $1.3m.
To piggyback off SMs comment on the previous thread relative to contract terms for several players. First, Miami was $1.4m above the tax amount before the deal. Remove Highsmith’s $5.6m and they are now $4.2m under the tax threshold. If they signed both Dru and Kai (I would like that), the 2 salaries would be (per SM) about $4.6m against the cap. That would put them back in the tax by about $400k. However, if you sign a player during the season, their contract is prorated. Theoretically, if they signed Dru in December, it might cost $1.8m or so and then, no penalty. And no team is lining up to sign him – he’s still not fully recovered. Let him continue to rehab for now. Anyhow, the Heat may do something entirely different and unexpected. I’m just, as they say, spitballing.
Since neither Dru nor Kai move the needle all that much, I don’t think Riley is going to settle for minor tweaks around the edges. I have a feeling he has his sights set on bigger fish
Kai Jones should be signed the heat should not resign dru smith nor Alec Burks this team needs to look different going into the new season
Yes, Jones would be my choice of the three also, but only by a little and because of need. Dru would be my second choice. If he is making a full recovery, he could turn out to be the best developmental story of the recent past. I truly appreciate the calming influence a quality, secure ball handling, true point guard brings to an offense.