The Miami Heat made their final roster cuts ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Less than 24 hours after their final tune-up of the preseason, they released four players: Ezra Ausar, Kylor Kelley, Gabe Madsen and Bez Mbeng, the team announced.
All four of those players were on Exhibit 10 contracts, meaning they will likely sign with the Heat’s G-League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. If they sign with the Skyforce and remain there for at least 60 days, there is an optional bonus where they can earn anywhere from $5K to $85K.
As a result, Miami now has 14 players on standard contracts with three players on two-way contracts.
These moves really aren’t a surprise. Ausar joined late, but didn’t play a single game during the preseason; Kelley played 13 total minutes in two games, while Madsen played just eight minutes in his only appearance. Mbeng was the best of the four, averaging 6.7 points and a pair of assists on 44.4 percent shooting across three games.
How the Miami Heat roster looks ahead of the 2026-27 season:
With just four days until the start of the regular season, the Heat’s roster is set!
Here’s how it looks:
Projected Starting 5:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Klay Thompson, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Reserves:
- Pelle Larsson, G
- Tim Hardaway Jr., G
- Nikola Jovic, F
- Bobby Portis, F
- Nick Richards, C
- Dru Smith, G
- Ryan Conwell, G
- Simone Fontecchio, F
- Myron Gardner, F
Two-ways:
- Vladislav Goldin, C
- Tre Donaldson, G
- Keshad Johnson, F
Were there any surprises to you? Let us know in the comments below!
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If you look around the league, several former Heat players were waived, at least 5. Life on the edge is hard.
Yup, I saw that.
Glad to see Jamal Cain land on his feet with Magic. Highsmith is an example of unrealized potential. If had more offensive aggressiveness Miami would never have let him go. One-way defensive specialists are few and far between.