Exiting another disappointing season, the Miami Heat have a lot of questions they must answer heading into the 2026 offseason.
They were able to duck the luxury tax last season, avoiding any repeater tax penalties. And they are entering this offseason with over $35 million in projected space under the luxury tax, so they will have some flexibility to toy with.
Despite that, they can’t leave this summer without addressing their biggest weakness — figuratively and literally.
The Miami Heat need frontcourt depth:
It’s been nearly 10 months after the Miami Heat acquired Norman Powell at the cost of Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson. Yet their need for at least one more big is just as great as it was then.
After the Miami Heat waived Precious Achiuwa, who was unplayable in the preseason, the Heat operated with two bigs on the roster for most of the season. Undrafted rookie Vlad Goldin made spot appearances in garbage time, but Goldin spent most of his season in the G-League with the Sioux Falls Skyforce. In 31 games, Goldin averaged 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks across 23.6 minutes.
Thus, the Heat were hamstrung in the frontcourt, limiting their lineup flexibility. Head coach Erik Spoelstra leaned more into the Kel’el Ware-Bam Adebayo frontcourt over the season’s final 25 games (when it was far more impactful), but there were no suitable options behind them; Keshad Johnson and Nikola Jovic were the best two options after that, and neither is a big.
Who are potential options?
There aren’t many bigs available in this year’s draft — Flory Bidunga and Mo Krivas are among the few who have already decided they’re returning to school — so I’d expect the address their frontcourt depth in free agency.
The free agency list at center isn’t loaded. But here are a few names they could target:
- Mitchell Robinson
- Mo Wagner
- Andre Drummond
- Robert Williams III
- Jaxson Hayes
- Jock Landale
Most importantly, the Heat need more lineup flexibility. Their best lineups are with Adebayo at center, but they have also needed him to play at center out of necessity last year. Ware and Adebayo have both grown as shooters, and more optionality isn’t a bad thing, especially since the team’s positional size across the board remains below-average.
Who do you think they should target?! Let us know in the comments!
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dirty play dysuma
kornet tossing rudy around like a rag doll.cs might still be playing if they had him.very underrated
They were over the limit.
hes a diff maker protecting the hoop and throwing that big frame around could use one of him.could have used him for joker 4 years ago
Quit pushing whitesides heat. Already have too many.
So we’re the 13th pick, I think we will get either LeBaron, brayden,or yaxel .
Some solid players in that range.
Yes sir
Probably Philbon.
Wizards with #1, plus AD, Trae, Bilal, Sarr should move up to at least play-in level.
Very likely they will. East will be even more open than this year.
I think the word is difficult.
For every team that goes up, one must come down. Indiana, Milwaukee, Washington and Chicago are all going to be in the hunt in 2026-2027. In addition, Atlanta, Charlotte and Chicago have multiple first round picks. This is not the time for Heat to shoot for a 5th straight play-in year. 2026-2027 is time to take one step back, clear the books and regroup, so it can take 2 steps forward in 2027-2028.
2026 First Round Draft Order
1 Washington
2 Utah
3 Memphis 16 Memphis
4 Chicago, 15 Chicago
5 LA Clippers
6 Brooklyn
7 Sacramento
8 Atlanta 23 Atlanta
9 NO
10 Milwaukee
11 Golden State
12 Oklahoma City 17 Oklahoma City
13 Miami (projected to take #6 rated PG in draft, Lebaron Philon, Jr.)
14 Charlotte 18 Charlotte
19 Toronto
20 San Antonio
21 Detroit
22 Philadelphia
24 New York
25 LA Lakers
26 Denver
27 Boston
28 Minnesota
29 Cleveland
30 Dallas
Wizards finally catch a break
Let’s see if the Wizards get screwed again
Oh no, the NBA cheated on behalf of Chicago, Memphis, and Utah !! Launch the investigation!!!
Don’t look past Memphis. They have a very good young core. That’s what a rebuild looks like. Give them 1-2 years
I expect something similar to what Atlanta did this year once they traded Trae and once Memphis traded ja
go generals we got a shot jon
luck of the draw so stupid.worse goes first
Need to discourage intentional tanking
as always rc was right dan marino 13
Okay, it’s over
#1
lets go generals
If Washington is the Generals, does that make Miami the Privates?
generals versus globetrotters what was their record prob same winning % as the wizards last decade
That was the past, where Miami appears to be stuck.
your teams fortunes rides on your gm,ours suks now
Reminds me of Phoenix Suns 10-11 years ago. Pat can’t fool ALL of the fans ALL of the time. It’s time for the winds of change.
mallory edens whhooa
Remember, all these reps know the order already
when theres a debate who goes 1 theres not a franchise wemby changer out there .wake me up when the season starts.
But here you are, lol
had mothers day commitment soon as they announced heat at 13 i was out.caught lots of spurs game.wemby with a brainfart cost them game
The moment of truth is at hand. I fully expect to stay at 13 and that will get us a good player to keep or trade for someone special.
we need a wemby not a pelle
Please change the channel. Believe what you want to. Mox nix.
send rc to rep the heat f zo hes bad luck
True
zos bad at this
Pelle was 44th pick.
Here we go lucky 13
Draft is early morning here so when I wake up its a top 4. Ok Adam?
Was thinking of what legit hole to fill…hmmm
What a way to start off the morning option a b or c
13
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see a positional need as much as I see a talent need.
Bringing in a back up center isn’t moving the needle.
Miami needs a super star, that I think we’re all fairly certain they won’t be able to land. Nikola Jokic, Ant, Wemby, Luka, etc
Mitchell Robinson doesn’t change the direction of this franchise…
Praying for draft miracle today…
Let’s go 1%…who knows right?
Assuming LeBron isn’t retiring, where does he go next season? Simple as closing out his amazing career where he began?
Cleveland or Miami? You make the call. Probably won’t happen with Riley still around.
100% not miami unless d wade came out of retirement (only reason he came here).la cleve ny
Bron didn’t like what Pat said bout him after leaving. He’s probably wanting a Cavs reunion 2.0
Or maybe warriors to play with steph.
reaves hunting season
dunc what a terrible shot no need for that
beard coming thru in playoffs is this for real or am i high
Hi? Again?
i wish wife said me or weed
Ol lady sitting here with me buzzed watching boxing.
i know u like the fights still buzzing cool,take a toke for me por favor
max and dunc playing very well here
If the Heat sign any of those centers, they’ll be 10th place again and get bounced out in the first play in game
Exactly I love how everyone is so supportive to the idea that all Mia needs is a big, that is not the only hole on this team.
A big is needed at end of rotation to provide a few minutes of rest filling in for Ware and Bam. A guy like Paul Reed.
They need help at the SG & SF spots. They could also use a higher scoring two way PG and have Davion come off the bench.
To start with they could use a high scoring SF and a back-up PF/C without gutting the team. Yexel looks like a good fit if he isn’t already gone at #13.
By summer 2027, after missing playoffs again and getting another lottery pick, Heat should have sufficient assets to go whale hunting before start of 2027-2028 season. Meanwhile, the young players will have another year of experience/growth.
“By summer 2027, after missing playoffs again and getting another lottery pick, Heat should have sufficient assets to go whale hunting before start of 2027-2028 season. Meanwhile, the young players will have another year of experience/growth.“
I implore yall to go take a look at that 27’ FA class and tell me this front office didn’t do a number on this fanbase. Talking like that shit is the 10 FA class with all them old ass players who aren’t leaving their current teams
Say what?
same story again and again.all the other teams young players getting another year of experience also not just the heats.all the other 29 teams going whale hunting.with pat as gm nothing getting done.hes washed.at 80 he needs to step aside the family biz.
81
play max over james atkinson u dum ass
cleve deserves to get swept what team in their right mind would sign nonplayoff james
Biggest hole on the team is talent point blank
def true
The talent gap between teams like OKC and San Antonio and Heat is light years. It will take more than a quick fix to beat them. It will take shrewd drafting, trades.and patience.
That is reality. It’s an inconvenient truth.
wade strus james shroeder allen on the floor donovns gonna want out
Another player to consider.
If Cleveland loses their series to the Detroit Pistons, Donovan Mitchell may decline to sign an extension this summer. If he does not sign, it could open the door for a trade to Miami. Mitchell would address what Miami lacks on offense and he and Bam have a friendship which could help smooth his transition to the Heat.
I mentioned that in a previous thread and feel that that could be the best choice of all because he is not that old and if Riley is looking for availability, then he has to like Mitchell.
i believe dan gilbert still owns cavs no way hes doing biz with the heat.
Following are excerpts from an article appearing today in Yardbarker
Stephen A. Smith Absolutely Unloads On Ja Morant With Brutal Rant About His NBA FutureOriginally posted on Total pro Sports
“Yo bro, you ain’t going to work on your game? You shot 23% from 3. You a PG. Everything ain’t about dunking. You have to work on your mid range. Work on your 3PT shot. Otherwise, you gonna be out the league! That’s just facts! You got the hunger to come at me for my comments about Memphis. I wouldn’t have to worry about it if you were the player you were supposed to be! When they put him on the trade block, there were no takers.”
“Ja Morant Trade Buzz to Miami Heat Grows as Offseason Pressure Builds The Miami Heat-Ja Morant buzz is starting to heat up again, and a fresh report from ESPN’s Jeremy Woo on May 7, 2026, is only pushing it louder. Miami just missed the playoffs after another Play-In stumble, and now the front office is clearly stuck between running it back or swinging big.”
“That’s where Morant enters the conversation. The Grizzlies star’s stock has dipped because of injuries, limited availability, and off-court issues, playing just 20 games this season. Still, talent like that rarely stays on the market for long, especially for a team looking for a reset without a full rebuild.”
“Woo noted that Miami could explore star-level options this summer, and Morant fits the “risky but available” category. A deal wouldn’t even require a full teardown. Names like Andrew Wiggins or Norman Powell, plus picks, could be enough to get talks moving if Memphis decides to listen.”
I wouldn’t offer Memphis any picks.
They should give one to Miami.
Yes!
If we got him he would immediately become your favorite player.,He is worth one player and a pick or two players. But, not one of our three best, or Ware.
No picks his value is the lowest its ever been, best they would get from us is herro and jovic .
I definitely hope it’s just some silly rumours
Bam is a good #1 team defender and #3 scorer. He is not a natural alpha team leader, although that is what spo wants him to be. He should remain part of Miami’s future plans at his natural PF position.