With two weeks until media day and less than two weeks until training camp, the Miami Heat’s roster still may not be all the way set.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line and the Miami Herald‘s Barry Jackson, the Heat — as well as three other East foes — has interest in bringing in free agent guard John Konchar to compete for a roster spot.
“John Konchar is one of the top free agents available and has drawn interest, league sources say, from Miami, New York, Orlando and Toronto,” Stein wrote Monday evening. “Yet the Raptors sit just $2.3 million under the first apron with a total of only 13 guaranteed contracts after reacquirng Leonard. The other three teams do have just enough apron flexibility to add one more player; both Florida teams have 14 players on standard contracts and the Knicks currently have 13.”
By adding both Klay Thompson and Nick Richards late into the summer, the Heat have 14 players on standard contracts, one below the league maximum of 15. They have enough flexibility to sign another player while staying below the first apron, but could also opt to keep that spot open — which they have done in the past.
According to Jackson, one player could be at risk of losing his roster spot if the Heat do bring in Konchar, who played 56 combined games with the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz last season.
“According to a source, the Heat has spoken to Konchar’s camp about potentially competing with Myron Gardner for a roster spot,” Jackson wrote. “The Heat is expected to circle back this week with a decision about whether it will formally offer that opportunity.”
Gardner’s contract is partially guaranteed — with $500K of the $2.1 million already guaranteed — and he can earn the full salary if he’s on the roster past Jan. 7.
Konchar, 30, averaged 4.4 points and 4.3 rebounds across 19.9 minutes per game last season. He shot 47.2 percent from the floor, 28.3 percent from 3-point range and 72.7 percent from the free-throw line.
His 3-point shooting was well below his career mark of 36.1 percent (1.8 3PA) heading into 2025-26. Konchar spent his first six-and-a-half seasons with the Grizzlies before getting traded to Utah in the Jaren Jackson Jr. eight-player deadline blockbuster.
What are your thoughts on potentially adding Konchar to the mix? Let us know in the comments!
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Bleacher Report is a year too late trying to get in on my MIP. 😛
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25498264-every-nba-teams-top-breakout-candidate-2026-27#id/article/slide/5498249/title
John Jablonka: “The Heat THIS SEASON were playing at a 57 win pace with Bam on the court The Heat WERE good when Bam was playing Giannis can play 50 games and that will already raise the floor significantly higher than what they had now”
This is what I’ve been saying on here, Heat with Bam on the court were +6.4 last year (compare to Boston with Jaylen Brown +6.2). Now with the trade for Giannis adding a player who was +14.4 last year in on off, for Herro (-5.9), Ware (-6.2), Jaquez (+1.5), Jakucionis (+2.1).
Jaylen Brown had a NEGATIVE 6.2 on/off differential for the season, but your point stands
Basketball reference has
+6.2 on, +10.8 off, -4.6 on-off for Brown
+6.4 on, -3.1 off, +9.5 on-off for Bam
My post should have been more clear, had both on and on-off together. Was trying to say Boston and Miami were comparable teams with Brown and Bam playing last year, and Brown was All-NBA and 6th in MVP.
Knicks sign Bruce Brown, Wiseman, and Agbaji to Exhibit 9 training camp contracts.
Bruce brown on an exhibit 9 is crazy work
Eastern Conference teams have largely had strong off seasons. This year should be interesting.
These type of signings probably won’t matter much in the long term, but for a Knicks team that kept most of the championship roster intact, they add additional depth potential.
bb nice signing much better than konchar imo.wiseman major bust.big body they have drummond now
Man, teams must really think Bruce fell off. An exhibit 9 is crazy. Here I was hoping he would sign for a vet minimum. Lmao. He would have jumped at that now.
I’m ready for Vincent now. He does make me us deeper.
Barry Jackson is saying no offer to Vincent because Heat are waiting for something “needle moving”. Maybe they really believe in Gardner to be on the 14th roster spot past January/have his contract guaranteed, and/or Conwell’s ability to guard as an older rookie.
I would hold off bringing in another player until the young fellows (Conwell, Donaldson, Gardner, Young) have had a chance to demonstrate what they can do. Meanwhile, if a special opportunity comes along (via trade or free agency), Miami will still have a vacant position available.
There are several teams that are over the 15 regular contracts allowed. Any veteran who has more than 3 years in the NBA isn’t eligible for a 2 way contract, so some decent players may be looking for a new team. However, I feel as others do, that the fo might just be waiting to see what bigger names, like KD or Irving may be available by the February deadline. For once, the Heat did it right – got their whale very early, allowing them to take their time until the right opportunity arises. In past years, other teams made their moves while we were kept waiting at the Beggar’s Banquet.
Maybe we can get the Salt of the Earth, to raise a drink to. And not just end up singing some Stray Cat Blues.
Classic
Brooklyn has good young PGs coming out of their ying yangs. Maybe there’s room for a trade with Nets by the deadline.
So which pg from that roster, would you trade for If possible?
There is more than one. See stats below plus they drafted more in 2026.
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bkn/brooklyn-nets
AKA ” sloppy seconds.”
Dru Smith provides similar numbers to what Gabe Vincent does. See career comparisons below. If Miami is going to bring in another back-up PG, he should be better than Dru, not just similar.
Dru Smith Career Regular Season Averages
Gabe Vincent Career Regular Season Averages
Big believer in Dru as an underrated rotation PG, but he is a low volume 3PT shooter thus far in his career, 4.1 3PA per 36. While Gabe was the highest volume shooter on a Finals team at 6.1 3PA per game.
This team is switchable on defense, Bam is the best overall defender but there are three players who will guard opposing PG – Davion, Dru and Pelle. Adding another wouldn’t hurt, the best defenses have multiple rotation guards who can pressure the ball. Maybe they think Conwell can do that, should be interesting to watch in preseason.
Gardner can also play SG & SF. Good defender, rebounder, 3pt shooter. He’s just a little raw/foul prone, which experience should help resolve. He’s the same size (6’5″) and age (25) as Pelle.
I think the Heat is good to go with: Davion, Dru, Klay, THJ, Conwell, Gardner, Larsson, Donaldson and Young. If 3-4 of them carry their weight, Heat should be OK in the guard dept.
Can Gardner defend PG? I didn’t see/don’t remember that last year. I’m talking specifically about players who can do that. Conwell might be the 4th player the Heat feel can do that if they aren’t interested in adding Vincent. And they might believe in Gardner, but he is also a candidate to go back to a two way with his nonguaranteed deal. Best outcome is if he can play real minutes and gets the guarantee in January.
Gardner can defend PGs, SGs, SFs (and PFs in a pinch). He’s a bad MFer.
I don’t remember that from last year. Know he can switch but it’s hard for most wings to defend PGs.
I think he can guard 1’s, 2’s and 3’s. I think he didn’t get the opportunity to demonstrate everything he is capable of doing. I think the veteran players on the team will motivate the younger ones to elevate their games.
Myron Gardner’s defensive profile is built on versatility, rebounding, and efficient scoring, allowing him to handle multiple matchups, from guards on the perimeter to larger players inside.
He can step up to guard a point guard on the perimeter, using his 6‑foot‑5 frame, mobility, and defensive positioning to contest drives, pick up steals, and help in transition.
when your 2 pt fg % under 40 u suk when your 3 pt% 34 u suk.dru suks a little less than gabe.
Gabe took 4 FGA per game last year, 80% were threes, his FG% is going to be close to his 3P%. If he hits 10 more threes he is at 39.8% 3P% for the year, people are talking about him again as a free agent shooter to add. Percentage means nothing when volume is low. We know he can shoot, defense is the area he could really help in.
yeah he can shoot just not very consistently.we need better than gv to get to the next levelwhere i believe were a little short of.keep an eye of julius irving or duran duran .
So no reason to go after Gabe. He’s unsigned for a reason.
seen him for years down here has a good game maybe 1 out of 10.scrubola in nba standards were better than that now sm.i know pat is shooting for irving or durant.this is his last hurrah think he knows heneeds a pt getter
Konchar signs with Knicks. Good. I prefer a real PG and save the spot for an in season Easter egg.
Eastern Conference NBA power rankings after the Kawhi Leonard trade (FANSIDED)
2026-2027 Projected Rank/Team/ 2025-26 Record
1. New York Knicks 53-29
2. Toronto Raptors 46-36
3. Philadelphia 76ers 45-37
4. Boston Celtics 56-26
5. Indiana Pacers 19-63
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 52-30
7. Detroit Pistons 60-22
8. Atlanta Hawks 46-36
9. Miami Heat 43-39
10. Orlando Magic 45-37
11. Charlotte Hornets 44-38
12. Washington Wizards 17-65
13. Brooklyn Nets 20-62
14. Chicago Bulls 31-51
15. Milwaukee Bucks 32-50
bams a #3 guy kd kyrie #2 get one of them we go up quite a bit.dd would have been the guy to get before klay imo he can get his own shot and points
If we get one of them that would definitely take us up a notch. For kd I think if his team doesn’t make at least a wcf then we might have a chance to get him cuz ik ime still wants him there. For Kyrie I think it’s inevitable, just a matter of time. Either he gets traded or maybe bought out, but more likely he gets traded. If kd would go for a Wiggins, jovic, and a 1st, then what would kyrie go for ?maybe something cheaper.
I agree with your comments. Dallas may eventually opt out on Kyrie as he doesn’t fit their window. But, with Irving there is some uncertainty about what you’re getting. KD may be less available, but there is no uncertainty for at least a year or two about what you’re getting. I don’t think the third guy everyone mentions, Jrue, is as good an answer as those two, unless if we got him we gave up someone other than Wiggins, as Holiday isn’t that much of an upgrade over Andrew.
I agree with you as well, also I would love to have jrue, not if we gotta give up wiggy for him cuz like you said he isn’t as good as the other two, and isn’t an upgrade over wiggy. Scoot might be cheaper to go after, but let’s take a wait and see approach for now.
Good take, as is often the case, you are telling it like it is. This is the reality. It’s an arms race in the East and even though we have made great strides, we still don’t have enough. You are also right about what we need to catch up, a #2, KD or Kyrie level. The next move may be painful in that we may have to package a valuable player like Wiggins with Jovic and a pick, but that’s the kind of salary a player we need to close the gap with the better teams makes.
were better than det atl cleve maybe ind maybe boston maybe phily tor nyk no imo.need a #2
I don’t agree with projection. I think Heat will set a new standard in team defense. Team has several gym rats that love to play defense. Do you know happens when a offensive player has trouble scoring? Their defense goes to crap. Gonna be a few “off nights” for Heat’s opponents. Can’t wait for DMich to prove all his critics wrong, including some folks here.
Stay tuned. I suspect at some point during the season, someone here will ask ‘who saw this coming?’ It will come as no surprise.
Davion is going to come into his own this year. He will be the spark plug as the primary playmaker on offense and as the primary poa perimeter defender. His scoring and assists should both increase as he evolves into a more aggressive scorer and playmaker.
Wow that’s a terrible ranking, they been taking bad drugs for years at fansided. Being 9th best in the east is crazy work, but we will prove the doubters wrong and be top 6 at least.
That ranking is hard to buy for us Heat fans. But, there is no question that Toronto has moved up ahead of us, no question either about NY and Philly. And Cleveland, although there is some question, most around basketball would say they are better than us too. After that it gets harder to project.
But, the clear reality is that we are still, even with the acquisition of Giannis, behind several teams and need to do more to compete for the top. We didn’t get Giannis to be a first round casualty. A further trade is required, at least by 2027-28, but preferably sooner.
Trading Wiggins and Jovic for a better player is probably our best available move, as much as I hate to lose Andrew. That move should be done as soon as that better player becomes available. Hopefully, Jovic will show some flashes of potential that will help entice another team. But, Jovic alone will not bring back enough.
Face it, we have to do something. This team became an all in team when we acquired Giannis. No great defensive prowess or hopes for player growth will close the gap above us. We have to complete the job or we will be just watching other teams by the second round.
I don’t agree that there is ‘no question’ that Toronto has moved ahead of us. Equal, maybe imo, but not clearly better.
Fair enough. We disagree on that. We agree a lot too.
The thing about Giannis is even though he is a great two way player in NBA history and was DPOY, he leans offense now and wants to score. He is a walking top 10 offense on the court by himself, and a Giannis team needs defenders and shooters who can play off ball. Wiggins provides that at a hard to find position, he is very valuable for this team.
Wiggins and Bam on defense can take the toughest frontcourt assignments, allowing Giannis to roam which is where he is best. I would keep Wiggins out of a trade for those reasons, would guess Heat will not trade him. He showed only 4 years ago in ’22 that he could be the 2nd best player on a title team, and he is 3rd on this team.
I agree with all that. Wiggins has always been a sneaky good defensive player, even when asked to defend players too tall for him, and that won’t be the case as much anymore. Where I think he falls a little short is if he is asked to function as a number two option, as does Bam. I believe they are both more of a third option on offense. I would hate to lose Andrew also. But, if we could get a #2 scorer, it would be worth it. We are all in now, have to go for the glory.
BTW, you were right. If Konchar wasn’t valuable, the Knicks wouldn’t have acquired him.
dramond doesnt put up the stats wigg might have but hes more valuable player to gsw than wig ever was .w.o looking i would think klay was second best player on that team stat wise unless he had a davion off series.wiggs an ok player can defend guys his size but very tradeable imo.hes what we call in sports a jag
“Andrew Wiggins won his first NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. He was almost unequivocally considered the second-best player in the 2022 NBA finals. Wiggins provided much-needed defense and timely scoring.
Wiggins averaged 18.3 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game in the Finals. He posted back-to-back 10+ rebound double-doubles in the Finals. Along with Kevon Looney, Wiggins’ offensive rebounding was vital for the Warriors.”
theres little nuances that dramond does he is a top 5 defender in nba passing screening off rebounds charges getting under your skin that helps winning more than just pts.u ask kerr if he had to pick between wig and green whod he pick.between klay and wigg.wigg is a complimentary #4 type player.thats it
“Wiggins has been a force on both offense and defense. Offensively, he can serve as a secondary isolation scorer behind Curry when Boston’s offense focuses on him. Defensively, he’s been the primary defender on the Celtics’ top weapon on offense in Jayson Tatum.
Bill Simmons noted that Wiggins is essentially having the type of series he was expecting Jaylen Brown of the Celtics to have, and his somewhat unexpected contributions have put the Warriors on the cusp of closing out Boston.
“Biggest thing to me is (Andrew) Wiggins. Wiggins in the last two games is 17 (pts) and 16 (rebs) in Game 4 and then in Game 5 26 (pts) and 13 (rebs). He was the best player on the floor. He looked like the guy I thought Jaylen Brown was going to be coming into the playoffs.”
https://www.basketballnetwork.net/latest-news/he-was-the-best-player-on-the-floor-bill-simmons-highlights-andrew-wigginss-impact-for-the-golden-state-warriors-in-the-2022-nba-finals
I think what everyone is forgetting is that our second unit may be the dark horse this year. If Jovic finds his mojo, Pelle continues evolving into a 6moy candidate, Portis thrives in a new system with better players, Conwell and Gardner turn into solid rotational players, Fontecchio and Hardaway provide solid 3 pt shooting and Dru provides solid playmaking and defense, the Heat can be very good without adding a 15th player.
That will give Spo time to fully evaluate his personnel and to work on offensive and defensive schemes to fully maximize the team’s strengths. Meanwhile, if a good trade or buyout situation comes along, Riley can be ready to pounce on it.
Things should get very interesting well before the trade deadline. If nothing else, we should be able to determine if Miami looks like a top 6 team or more like a play-in team (for the 5th straight year).
Agree, the bench is a good mix of players and a deep rotation already. Someone like Fontecchio on a team with Giannis could have value well beyond a minimum contract. Pelle IMO is a 6MOY and MIP candidate. To actually win MIP he would have to almost double his scoring average or make All-Star, unlikely but that is the potential he has IMO.
I think the rotation could still use another perimeter defender who can guard PGs after Dru and Pelle, assuming Conwell as a rookie won’t be a good defender, but maybe he will be. Maybe they bring in Vincent for that also.
Conwell, Gardner and Donaldson are all good defenders and shooters.
Two rookies with 0 NBA minutes and a second year wing who made 26 threes and took 64 last year
Going to NYK who probably showed more interest than Miami, nice depth addition there
lol
Its OK, no Konchar, you don’t have to have an opinion on someone you’ve never heard of.
ive heard of him hes a nothing.played with memphis i believe for a bit maybe 9 th option on team
Other than age and experience, what does Konchar offer that Gardner doesn’t? The Heat can use a good (back-up) PG, not just an older G/SF version of Gardner.
Konchar is 30. He is 6’5″ tall and weighs 210 lbs.
Last year he played 26.2 mpg and averaged 5.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg. and 3.0 apg.
In addition, his 3 pt% was .250. He is a good defensive player.
Gardner is 25. He is 6’5″ and weighs 220 lbs.
Last year, he played 9.1 mpg and averaged 3.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 1.0 apg.
In addition, his 3 pt% was .406. He is a good defensive player.
I would prefer to keep Gardner on the roster and let various players compete for the 15th spot during preseason (e.g., Jahmir Young, Tre McDonald, Gabe Vincent, Victor Oladipo, Seth Curry, Aaron Holiday, etc.).
But that’s just me.
Ballhandling is probably the biggest difference. Gardner is a more of a 3&D forward at wing, Konchar a guard who plays wing. Teams don’t ask Konchar for shot creation but he can run in transition and distribute like a guard. Gardner in transition is more running filling lanes and spotting up from 3. Both can crash for OREBs.
Konchar also makes more happen defensively in terms of steals and blocks. The Heat need that because last year they were #17 in opponent TOV%, they don’t force many turnovers. Players like Dru and Konchar help with that. Boston had the same issue, they were #27 last year and one effect of the moves they’re making is to get more playmaking on the floor on defense.
Best thing is its not either or choice, both could play in the same lineup with an open 15th spot left if Gardner’s contract is converted to two way. He only has a 500k guarantee and there’s probably wasn’t a good chance already of his contract being guaranteed for the 2m this year is my guess.
gardner guards like an sob hits the boards and anybodys whos in his way.we need some bad asses enter the gardner.glad konchars not coming here im an nba fan never seen the dude play or if he was on the tv he didnt do squat i like the gardner.i dig him.
get kd or kyrie here team right now believe is not a champ team close but u add a kd kyrie ship wiggy out that puts us as a champ team,need a 2nd bucket getter besides greek current team doesnt have one .konchar wont make 1 inch of a difference
no thanks
I could be wrong, but I don’t see this as the type of move Riley’s holding out for. Konchar maybe a 5-10 minute a night guy with the current roster.
He’d be competing for minutes with Klay, THJ, Pelle and Wiggins. He played PG in college, but hasn’t really in the pros.
And even if PG is viable position for him, is he a significant enough upgrade from Dru Smith (other than maybe health), I’d say no.
I’d still bet on Miami holding that roster spot most of the year.
He and Dru play different positions, Dru is point of attack defense/guards 1-2, Konchar listed at SG but more of a wing/small ball 4 help defender. Heat could add Konchar at Gardner’s spot, keep Gardner on the roster as a two way, still have the 15th spot open
2065 points in NCAA but plays off ball in NBA, where he is around 90th percentile or above in steals, deflections, rebounding. Protects the ball on offense. A low volume 3PT shooter so his 3P% fluctuates year to year. He’s a better player than Gardner, who is also good and could move back to a two way.
He could have a Dru Smith type role on this team IMO at wing position, enter the game and cause havoc on defense, get every loose ball and pressure for every rebound. His game fits with anyone. Heat could have one of the deepest rosters in the East with a 14th man who can play real minutes, and it would be aligned with moves other contenders are making for more defensive depth.
#1 thing about Konchar is his hands on defense are comparable to Dru’s IMO. Having that also translates on offense where Dru had 2 OREB per 36 and Konchar 3.
This is another example of a player you talked about a month ago before anyone else had him on their radar. Good call 2015. You also provided stats to alert us that he is perhaps underestimated by some in his ability to contribute. He is 6’5”, and seems to do a lot of the little things right. Would be an okay choice for the 15th spot, better than Gardner, and probably better than Gabe. The only caveat being he won’t fill in at the point like Vincent if Dru or Davion get hurt.
Appreciate it, if they are running a fast pace, transition heavy offense again like last year he’s a perfect fit with his defensive playmaking. Need to have a deep rotation to contend in today’s NBA.
True and good point. But I haven’t seen enough of Gardner to say Konchar is better, though he is definitely the more established and experienced player. And I agree that if Konchar is signed, Gardner might be transferred to a 2-way contract (I don’t think anyone is lining up to steal Vlad). I believe they want to keep the 15th spot open.
I don’t know much about this guy. Sounds like the safe bet, sort of like getting Richards at Center. But maybe someone else watches more Utah Jazz basketball to comment.