We are mere weeks away from the bulk of the 2026 NBA Offseason, which is always an exciting time in the NBA calendar. For the Miami Heat, they are hoping to avoid a fifth-straight play-in appearance. But given the state of the organization, what should be their priorities entering the summer? Let’s examine!
Find a new home for Tyler Herro:
It was a rough 2025-26 season for Tyler Herro, who appeared in a career-low 36 games after an All-Star season the year prior. Herro dealt with a foot/ankle injury for most of the season, and wasn’t as impactful in the Heat’s new offense when he was.
While the Heat would be selling low on one of their best players, it’s time for both sides to part ways at this point. I don’t think he’s a valuable trade asset, but the Heat are going to have to be comfortable eating 70 cents on the dollar, at least. As much as Herro’s grown during his time with the Heat, it’s no longer a healthy partnership for either side.
Invest in your youth:
The Heat doesn’t have a great young core. They don’t have a terrible one, either. Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson and Kasparas Jakucionis have all shown encouraging flashes in their brief careers. I’d argue that Nikola Jovic has, too, although those completely vanished last year.
Vets are important not only on the court, but in the locker room. But the Heat need to lean into the development of their youth by surrounding them with players more beneficial to their success.
There will be inevitable ridges and bumps, and that’s OK. But Miami currently doesn’t have the spacing, point-of-attack defense or playmaking to completely unlock each of their potentials.
Begin to prepare for Anthony Edwards:
Earlier this week, I opined that the Heat should take a break from star chasing. Nobody likes perennial play-in appearances, but Miami poorly prepared for Antetokounmpo — whether they land him or not. They didn’t give themselves enough margin for error.
I’ll say this until I’m blue in the face: Instead of star chasing, the Heat should be focusing on asset accumulation — not haplessly gutting their already-empty treasure chest for Antetokounmpo, even though he would be an incredibly fun watch and fit alongside Adebayo.
They could be accomplished by:
- Trading Andrew Wiggins, assuming he opts into his $30.2 million player option, or any other player you don’t plan on paying (i.e. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dru Smith, etc.)
- Inheriting bad contracts intertwined with draft capital.
- Buying low on depreciated talent or those on cost-controlled contracts (to rehabilitate their value)
If there’s any potential superstar I’m preparing for, it’s Anthony Edwards, not Antetokounmpo, respectfully. His situation in Minnesota is a ticking time bomb, and he’ll be entering his age-25 season. Plus, his ability to self-create and buy in defensively would make him a great fit.
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- Ranking the Miami Heat’s 3 biggest priorities this summer
- 3 players Heat should try to keep out of a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade
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- Why Heat are clear winners from league’s reformed lottery
- How would Giannis Antetokounmpo shape Heat’s championship odds?
- Hanifan: It’s time for Heat to take a break from star chasing altogether
Edwards reminds me on Mitchell. He is rarely at his best in PO.
And he is a bonehead. Four kids with four different woman at his age?
What are teaching those kids in the school?
So I wouldn’t have him in the team.
Anthony Edwards is never coming here. Lakers already planning ahead to put him and Doncic together.
Trading Herro for Giannis vs Herro for 70 cents on the dollar (when have the Heat made a trade like that) is an easy decision. Herro on OKC or DET could have swung the series in their favor.
Giannis is available/will play on a new team next year, vs Ant who has three years left on his contract. A Giannis trade would cost much less than an Ant trade. Both are 15-1 to win MVP next year (which is probably underselling Giannis’ MVP chances imo). Other than last year with 36 games played the last season Giannis finished outside the top 5 in MVP voting and didn’t make All-NBA 1st team was 2018
What is Plan B in the remote possibility the Giannis trade falls through? Any thought/ideas?
OTHER POSSIBLE TRADE OPTIONS:
Trade for Kahwi, Ja, Mitchell, Edwards
STAY THE COURSE OPTION:
Heat could always draft the best available players at #13 and #41, not renew Powell or Fontecchio (sign & trade, if possible), trade Herro (to Detroit, Orlando, Sacramento, ?), consider extending Johnson and Gardner, and wait to see what, if anything, shakes loose by the trade deadline.
As long as Miami does not appear desperate, as it does now, who knows what trade offers and draft picks might come the Heat’s way?
ROSTER:
Bam, Wiggins, Mitchell, Ware, Jaquez, Larsson, Jakocionis, Jovic, Smith, #13 pick (Lendeborg, Philon, Carr, Steinbach, Burries?), #41 pick (Ejiofor, Miller, Karaban, Conwell, Nelson, ?), return for Herro trade to Detroit (Beef Stew, Holland and 2027 second round pick), possible return for Powell (if able to sign & trade), Johnson and/or Gardner (if re-signed).
POSSIBLE LINE-UP
Mitchell, Larsson, Wiggins, Bam, Ware
Jakucionis, Gardner, Jaquez, Lendeborg, Stewart,
Smith, Holland, Johnson, Jovic, Miller
PROJECTED WIN TOTAL:
36-42 (Lottery pick #11-#13)
Summer 2027
Select 2027 lottery pick and go ss/whale shopping for free agents or trade prospects.
i dont like wasting a year,the heat have entertained me pretty much for 30 staright years give or take a few bad years.no gap years no tank years.get a good gm who knows what the f hes doing.brain at 80 aint the same as is at 30.
1) more of a mini tank.
2) the reason Miami is where it is because Riley traded all of its first and second round picks away to avoid disappointing your desire for sbeing competitive every single season.
#2? We have a winner!
Thangya vera mush.
Mortgaging future draft picks for immediate gratification is like making a deal with the devil. At some point, you will be required to pay the piper when the devil comes to collect.
I’m telling you now, if antman ever becomes available or wants a trade out, he is one of the few SS I would trade bam in a heartbeat for dwade jr. Bam will still be here whether we get giannis or not.
congratulating your opponent in a closeout game with 8mins left not a good look.his teammates couldnt have been happy with that.hes top 5-7 player.greeks little older but better player he won a ring with less talent than antman had around him
Antman is a top 5 talent at least. You can say giannis is a bit better, but ant is the better shooter, and his game will age better I think. Giannis had less talent, but antman in the west dealing with way stiffer competition.
go east at least u might get to the finals.why would minn not try to help him out,u cant lose players like that big id be surprised if hes not on minn his whole career.ant seems to come up short in the playoffs he doesnt have the dwayne wade aint no way im losing theres not one guy in nba that can slow down greek.we use to have to set up a wall to guard him.only negative lots wear and tear.id be doing backflips if we got greek.if we dont get him ill be doing front flips.