5 free agents Heat should target with their full mid-level exception this summer

After getting under the luxury tax last year, the Miami Heat are expected to be aggressive in their approach this summer. They are expected to make run at Giannis Antetokounmpo, but whether they will be able to land the two-time MVP, they need upgrades all around the roster. Fortunately for them, they will have their full mid-level exception — worth $15.048 million, 9.1 percent of the cap — available to them this summer.

Who are a few players they should target?! Here are five candidates I’d consider if I were in their front office.

1 likely longshot:

Ayo Dosunmu, G, Timberwolves:

Skinny: Dosunmu took off with the Timberwolves amid injuries to Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards this postseason, thus pricing himself out of MLE range. Entering Friday, he was averaging 16.2 points, highlighted by a 43-point performance off the bench in Game 4 of their first-round series over the Denver Nuggets, which they eventually took in six games. In those nine postseason appearances (three starts), he shot 50.0 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from 3-point range, adding 3.9 boards and 3.6 assists per game.

There’s an outside chance that the Timberwolves, who own his full bird rights, don’t completely throw the bag at him; they are nearly $11 million below the tax, albeit with just nine players on payroll. Although I think it’s more likely that they find a way to bring back Dosunmu, especially with DiVincenzo (torn achilles) out for at least most of the season, and find ways to cut corners elsewhere. I’ve long admired Dosunmu’s game, and campaigned for him ahead of the trade deadline. But as much as I would like for him to be one, I don’t think he’s a super realistic target.

3 more realistic targets:

Peyton Watson, F, Nuggets:

Skinny: Watson was outstanding for the Nuggets before his season was ultimately cut short with a hamstring injury. Nevertheless, Watson’s only 23-years-old and the prototypical two-way wing I’d invest in if I were the Heat. The former 30th overall pick was exceptionally raw and unproductive over his first three seasons. But Watson, listed at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot wingspan, is a bulldog defender and made tangible growth as a ballhandler, self-creator and sheer shotmaker in 2025-26, averaging 14.6 points on 49.1/41.1/73.0 shooting splits on relative volume.

Why Heat should target this under-the-radar free agent wing

Quentin Grimes, G, 76ers:

Skinny: Grimes, who just turned 26-years-old last week, was another name I had my eyes on ahead of the deadline. He bet on himself by accepting the qualifying offer after a rocky restricted free agency. His end to this year wasn’t ideal, but Grimes still averaged 13.4 points on 45.0 percent shooting and 58.5 percent true shooting. Behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, Grimes was pushed to the side and didn’t quite fit. With his 3-and-D pedigree, I think he’d have more runway with Miami, especially if they move on from at least one of Tyler Herro or Norman Powell. He’s a better shooter than last year’s numbers indicated, and would immediately be one of the Heat’s top volume shooters.

Mitchell Robinson, C, Knicks:

Skinny: Miami has reportedly been fond of Robinson’s game, and it’s easy to see why. He’s dealt with various lower-body injuries over his eight-year career, but is a premier lob threat, rebounder and rim protector. He would be a strong insurance option behind Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo, who both have shown they can be capable floor spacers at the next level. In some ways, Robinson could complement both while also feasting against other teams’ bench units.

Is this too much?:

Sandro Mamukelashvili, C, Raptors (Player Option):

Skinny: To answer my own question: No, this isn’t.

Mamukelashvili, who owns a $2.8 million player option, fits the Heat perfectly. The Raptors’ bench big averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds on 63.7 percent true shooting this season. He’s a very good stretch 5 who can screen, playmake, initiate DHOs and delay sets and beat closeouts effectively off the bounce.

Mamukelashvili is an incredibly smart player offensively and knows how to positively impact without the ball in his hands. His numbers aren’t gaudy, but he would be an excellent under-the-radar option to bridge the non-Bam/Ware minutes.