With two weeks to go until the 2026 NBA Draft, many Miami Heat fans everywhere are waiting for the Giannis Antetokounmpo shoe to drop. The offseason is at the doorstep — perhaps an exciting one, at that — but president Pat Riley and Co. still have plenty of decisions to parse through elsewhere.
Miami will have three extension-eligible players this summer. Last summer, they had five — with Nikola Jovic being the only one to receive a new deal. It didn’t quite work out the way many expected, to put it lightly. But that begs the question: Regardless of whether they land Antetokounmpo, does anyone on this current roster get extended? Let’s examine!
Andrew Wiggins:
Skinny: Assuming Wiggins exercises his player option, he will be eligible to add on four years and $189 million to his $30.2 million cap hit and 2026-27. It’s hard to envision the Heat signing him to that number. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the two sides re-negotiate a deal with a similar average — or even slightly smaller — average annual value, especially if Miami acquires Giannis Antetokounmpo.
At his best, Wiggins is a 3-and-D wing who can defend multiple positions and excel on the offensive glass. The Heat sees value in that, even though his impact wasn’t as loud in many of the Heat’s lineups last season. If Miami traded him, he would have to be sent to a suitor willing to extend him. And I am not sure how many are for ~$30 million annually, so I think he stays.
Verdict: Wiggins re-signs for three years, $90 million with a team option in the final season
Jaime Jaquez Jr.:
Skinny: Jaquez’s sophomore NBA season was rough — beyond rough. However, the 6-foot-7 wing blossomed in the Heat’s new free-flowing offense from the very jump, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 50.7 percent shooting and 57.0 percent true shooting.
This year will be the first opportunity he has to sign a rookie-scale extension. However, I think to maintain future flexibility, I think the Heat will hold off.
Verdict: He’s not re-signed … yet.
Pelle Larsson:
Skinny: Larsson was one of the Heat’s most impactful players last season, despite what the numbers say. He’s also been one of their best two-way players each of his first two seasons, and his role as a high-level connector is best actualized on a winning team.
Larsson only has one more year left on his contract — a $2.3 million club option that will almost certainly be exercised. Miami can either pay Larsson, who’s likely worth around the mid-level, now, or maintain some extra flexibility heading into future offseasons.
Verdict: Don’t extend him
Tyler Herro:
Skinny: Coming off a career season, Herro was extension eligible last summer. But the Miami Heat didn’t cave, and they looked like geniuses doing so. Herro underwent offseason foot surgery and missed the first 17 games of the season. Herro appeared in a career-low 36 games due to multiple other injuries and never quite found a groove in their newfangled offense.
Now, the 6-foot-5 guard enters the final year of his $120 million contract and will be extension-eligible throughout the duration of the 2026-27 season. But will he stay healthy after undergoing another minor procedure? If Miami didn’t bend the knee after a career year, why would they — or any team, for that matter — do so after his worst?
Verdict: He doesn’t get extended and is likely dealt in any Antetokounmpo trade
***
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13
If the Knicks win today, the deal may be done this week. If NY loses, it probably won’t be done until after the series is over. I believe Miami’s only competitor for Giannis may be the Knicks.
14 days
14…….
and to be clear, the Heat cannot complete a deal for Giannis until after they make that pick. We don’t know for certain today if the pick will be for the Heat or on behalf of the Bucks. It’s why I look forward to it, so that, hopefully, we find out.
stupid stupid stupid rule rc makes no sense bballs rule aprons second apron ping pong spurs balls all controlled by fishy martian man silva.football has it right bball doesnrt keep it simple.worst draft first.salary cap certain # cant go over
I agree some of it is stupid (I don’t find it fishy for the most part). Due to the Stepien Rule, a team can’t trade first round picks in consecutive years. Yet, you can trade the pick immediately after choosing the player. Definitely weird. Named after former owner of the Cavs who traded 5 first round picks in a row.
why should a dictator commissioner be allowed to tell a team what they can do with their picks.martian man is a power monger.brooklyn gave up five firsts for bridges i can see no deals til seasons ova give nyk and spurs a fair chance at greek..once season ends all hell should break loose.
I’ve read that the Heat and Bucks can agree to the trade at any point and finalize it afterwards. So we still could get an announcement sooner rather than later.
Reports say Bucks expect this to be over by the end of the Finals. If the Heat and Bucks agree, and the Knicks win Finals, I would announce it the second they blow the whistle. 😛 😉
The mental equivalent of the seventh month of pregnancy or the day before the colonoscopy – please just get it over with already!!!!
Possible Plan B (if Giannis trade falls through)
Heat gets: Kahwi Leonard, Isaiah Stewart, Caris LaVert
Clippers get: Wiggins, Jovic, Miami’s 2026 pick, Detroit’s 2026 pick
Pistons get: Tyler Herro
Proposed Miami Line-up:
Mitchell, Powell, Kahwi, Bam, Ware
Jakucionis, Larsson, LeVert, Jaquez, Beef Stew
Smith, Young, Gardner, Johnson, 2026 2nd round pick
* Miami keeps all its 1st round picks 2027-2032 (except the lottery protected pick which will convey to Charlotte in 2027 (if Miami makes 2027 playoffs) or 2028 (if Miami fails to make the 2027 playoffs and keeps its 2027 lottery pick).
Before proceeding, Miami needs to know all the implications (for Kahwi and the Heat) if the NBA’s current investigation of Leonard’s alleged “no show” endorsement contract finds legal issues warranting the imposition of penalties, fines and/or a suspension.
Waiting is the hardest part.
these two teams we are watching are not great teams our ,big 3 teams stephs teams,pops teams would destroy these teams.if we get greek dont think we are to far away maybe a damar beef stew away with bam wigg norm dav
Agree. As the great Rocky Balboa once said, “you ain’t so bad.”
(Sporting News)
However, if they were worried about the Celtics, it sounds like there isn’t too much to worry about just yet. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Celtics don’t appear to be on Antetokounmpo’s list.
“I have not heard that Boston is on Giannis’s list,” Windhorst said in an interview. “I have not heard that Giannis is prepared to sign the extension with Boston.”
Don’t believe anything you hear or half of what you see. Remember how Lillard was expected to be traded to Miami and Bucks swooped in out of nowhere with a better offer. As long as there are teams with depth and draft picks (OKC, Houston, San Antonio , Boston) it ain’t over until everyone signs on the dotted line.
“Remember how Lillard was expected to be traded to Miami and Bucks swooped in out of nowhere with a better offer.”
This isn’t mentioned enough for me, the trailblazers essentially are the reason Mia has been what it’s been for the past 3 seasons a mediocre mid playin team. Them and the league ofc doing something no other commissioner has done before. Sent a league wide/specifically Miami memo
glad we didnt get dame.unless herro went to portland then it would be ok.there fo prob said hell no to tyler like most fos would.one way injured players cant be part of a champ team
Lucky and smart. Lucky that Cronin said eff that and smart in keeping Ware out of a trade for Durant. Now it might land you Giannis.
That would sure be a fortuitous turn of events for us. It still seems like we have to be the best bid out there (which we seem to be at this point) and then we still need for Milwaukee to decide to actually make the huge move. But, there is a lot of smoke now, seems like more than even before with Giannis or before that with Lillard. We do have a chance, maybe I would put it at 35%, to land our whale. And, no question, this is the best whale there is, and we could never have gotten him if Dame, Durant, or anyone else came to us earlier.
Ira said putting it at 50-50 might be selling it short. Get the feta ready.
If, and still a pretty big if, Giannis is in a Heat uniform in the not so distant future, I am anticipating a big about face by several here on the Riley sucks narrative.
having bam as your best player is a fireable offense.having bam as your second best not a great situation but considering where weve been last few years acceptable.having bam as your third best player i will be doing back flips
Yes, but all your Riley sucks, Riley is 80 comments will suddenly change if we get Giannis, right? Riley won’t be any different or any younger
He would be significantly more handsome if he lands Giannis. 😛
im a results driven poster
Either somebody sucks or they don’t. If you consider someone inept but change your mind when they do something good that makes you happy, then they weren’t inept to begin with. Oh, I found a definition for that:
Results-Driven Fanaticism: Supporting or praising a leader only when they make moves that directly align with personal biases or favorite roster additions.
This is not meant as a shot. Different people approach things differently. I tend to be a big picture person who gives people the benefit of the doubt until their failure is proven. Jaquez is a good example. And I might be the only person here who has not totally given up on Jovic being productive (although next season will decide it for me).
I think most of us were disappointed with Jaime’s 2024-2025 season. Likewise, I think most of us were pleasantly surprised with his rebound in 2025-2026. Jaime gives everything he has all the time. Like Mitchell, Larsson, Jakucionis, Gardner, Keshad, etc.
Jovice came into last season a little cocky, assuming he would be a starter and play his kind of game. He was wrong. He is very immature and has allowed minor mistakes or bad stretches to adversely impact his overall game. He is easily disappointed and gets down on himself.
Up to this point, everyone hasn’t given up totally on Jovic. After all, the team is on the hook for $62.4M over the next four seasons. The best words I can think of are frustrated and disappointed.
Jovic has the physical tools to be a very good NBA player. He needs to worry less and work harder. Until he gets his head right, develops self-confidence and learns how to be a little tougher, he will never be all he can be. Its up to him.
Like everyone, I was disappointed and shocked at Jaquez’ poor season. However, I never gave up on him, understanding that young players could have a sophomore slump, or a slump at any point in a career. As forJovic, next season is really important. He needs to play with force and confidence. He doesn’t need to be a star. Just give me something to build on, like 12/6/4 38% 3p% and it would be a step in the right direction. I think playing with a ss like Giannis will really help.
count me in for Jovic. He is better then that, the real question is how much better. Enough to be a decent NBA player?
I agree. Landing Giannis would make Riley suck less?
There’s a lot of evidence for questioning our GM’s body of work, especially over the past three years. It’s always been a ratio of good to bad moves equation, compared against the performances of other GM’s across the league. One must always remember that every GM has their hits and misses. Some hits for Pat over these last three years include the Powell acquisition, and the drafting of Ware and Jaquez. Some other, less impactful, but still positive moves were acquiring Davion, Pelle, and getting Wiggins out of the Butler fiasco. There have certainly been some missteps too, which I could also list, but simply stating the fact that the Heat have been a play-in team for three years should be sufficient, as team results are the clearest gauge of effectiveness.
Yup. I like to think that they think going after whales is like never tanking. Eventually your positive deposits to the basketball karma Gods will end up paying off in the end. 🙂
As one of the more consistent Riley critics over the last few years, I would definitely be impressed if things go down as proposed. And getting Giannis, particularly while unloading only the players reportedly involved, would seriously upgrade his recent good to bad moves ratio, which is how I always evaluated him. But, deals like this are pretty rare. Let’s see how everything turns out before we make any assumptions. If nothing goes down and there is no equivalent plan B that moves this teams needle (which is still quite possible and has actually happened in the recent past), perhaps the other side of the equation would be equivalently validated and maybe others should be doing about faces. Like we always say, take a wider perspective, watch and have patience before reacting.
Fair enough
I hope
1) Riley doesn’t give too much away to Milwaukee
2) If Giannis trade falls through, Riley has a real plan B, not just a “quick fix” with a large helping of gaslighting. Been there and done that, multiple times.
I suggested a 3-way trade with Detroit and Clippers (see above). Something for everyone, plus we get to keep most of our draft picks and our young’uns.
Of course. Just passing along information. I use that philosophy in general.
I know. A lot of speculation out there. I saw another trade scenario on 3 team trade landing Miami Gianni’s and Kahwi.
Yeah, me too. And another that nets Milwaukee Ja.
btw sm heat games next year are gonna be broadcasted on wplg tv local abc station in miami.outside of 305 and 954 gonna cost
Free is what I understand. I get NBA Team Pass. DVR them bad boys and watch the game in fast forward mode through commercials.
$ for sports greedy bastards
True.
Years ago, NBA collects my early league pass payment, but shortly after that sell the rights for NBA league pass to local provider and block watching games from that country without approval of local provider…. which of course wants another payment… it took me days fighting both organisation to get the money back, but I couldn’t achieve anything. I have to pay again. There goes my money.
Bunch of scums.
Money for sports and chicks for free.
dire straits fan im not?chicks for free thats not reality.
If you’re in the right band, it is definitely reality. Just ask Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.
Are you kidding? Ever heard of groupies. Damn near every rock band has at least one song talking about the promiscuous girls waiting to party after their concerts. Here’s one example.
Four young chiquitas in Omaha
Waitin’ for the band to return from the show
Feelin’ good, feelin’ right, it’s Saturday night
The hotel detective, he was outta sight
Now these fine ladies, they had a plan
They was out to meet the boys in the band
They said, “Come on dudes, let’s get it on”
And we proceeded to tear that hotel down
As far as Dire Straits, we had a class on the top 20 rock guitarists, which you obviously missed. Mark Knopfler was one of them. If you don’t like this then you don’t like rock & roll.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoaNnqLObak&list=RDFoaNnqLObak&start_radio=1
Fun stuff
I liked Dire Straits. Brothers in Arms, great album.
between commercials rc and i get alot done
i miss u at game time though doesnt that count?
Its hard to know who to extend until it is known if Miami will make a big trade (such as Giannis or Kahwi) and who will be going out and who will remain. Right now, Miami is in a holding pattern until the first domino falls (Giannis).
If Jaquez is not extended before the 2026-2027 season starts and Larsson by June 30, 2027, they will both become restricted free agents in 2027-2028.
i think wig and norm would get minutes on any team in nba id like both back at right price.both above average players.id have both in top 10 at their positions of 2g sf
Yes to Wiggins. Powell is a good scorer but he is a one way player like Herro, who you trash, plus might be entering an injury plagued portion of his career. I would be scared to offer him a deal. I’m still in the save $ get Grimes and another guy with that money.
Though unlikely, Ayo.