The 2025 offseason is a big one for the Miami Heat.
Nearly three months after trading Jimmy Butler in a five-team blockbuster, they finished with their worst record in a decade and were embarrassed in the first round of the postseason against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
They have been a play-in team for the last three regular seasons, but it’s now it’s time to pick a direction as we transition into a new phase. According to former 15-year NBA veteran and three-time champion Danny Green, the direction is clear: Swing for the fences and go for a star.
“They don’t have much to give,” Green said. “But their best bet is to try and find a big star in the offseason. People were talking about Kevin Durant. They hope that the Bucks lose, and [Giannis Antetkounmpo] wants out. Obviously, [Damain Lillard] is hurt–now, that’s a guy that they were trying to get before who is going to be out for next season. The only guys they really can get are Giannis and KD. … But it’s hard to get Giannis with the pieces you have. Milwaukee is not going to want Terry Rozier or Davion Mitchell. It seems impossible because they’re going to have to give up Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro.”
The worst kept secret in the NBA is that Durant’s likely played his last game in Phoenix, who missed the playoffs entirely and will have their fourth head coach in four years. He has just one more year left on his deal ($54.7M), but will eligible for a two-year extension worth over $120 million.
Antetokounmpo’s future with Milwaukee is less concrete. Damian Lillard will likely miss the entirety of the season with a torn achilles; Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Brook Lopez will all be free agents; Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr. and Pat Connaughton all have player options. They’re old and look very different.
Antetokounmpo still has three more years left on his contract worth $54.1M, $58.5M and $62.8M (player option), respectively. He’s easily going to command a larger haul than Durant. To acquire the 30-year-old superstar, the Heat would likely have to trade Bam Adebayo (among several others)–which would be a problem because Antetokounmpo would probably want to play with him.
Acquiring Durant is more feasible. However, as I outlined in the offseason preview, I don’t think that’s a route the Heat should go–which is where I differ from Green, respectfully. You make a move for Durant in the latter stages of his career if you’re one piece away.
While Miami underperformed with the sum of its parts this season, Miami’s far more than one piece away. It was at least one piece away with Jimmy Butler, why would that be any different without. Any move for the 37-year-old Durant would gut the team of any sustainable supporting cast and future assets when its ceiling doesn’t match that of Boston or Cleveland–the two teams you need to get past in the East. Building a top-heavy roster also limits you to a 2-3 year window, which wouldn’t make sense to limit yourselves to if you’re not a contender. The Heat wouldn’t be with Durant.
Antetokounmpo is a different case study, but I don’t see a world where they can acquire him. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!
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- 2024-25 Miami Heat Exit Interview Quote Tracker
Bam Adebayo is set to make $202.4 million over the next four years with the Heat:
2025-26: $37.1 million
2026-27: $51 million
2027-28: $55.1 million
2028-29: $59.2 million (player option)
wow
I am reading all the comments and I agree that the most prudent approach is the 2026 free agency period. However, I think Riley will try to do something this offseason. We have more assets than some may think. Three tradable first round picks plus Bam, Herro, Wiggins. Expiring contracts. They may already be on the phone with Phoenix, Milwaukee, and other teams who are done playing.
Again, it’s not that I disagree. I just don’t see Riley accepting another season like this one.
I partially agree with you. my only hesitation to agree 100% is because that’s what we all said at the end of last season
I think this is different. At the end of last season, we still technically had Butler, our A level player. We had Rozier, who had been coming on in the weeks before his injury and scoring 16 ppg overall. At that point, a little tweak or 2 might have been enough. If Butler played this season for us like he is playing for GS, we probably would be no lower than the 4-6 seed. This season needs a total overhaul.
after that 57pt beatdown who the f is gonna want to come here,dwade no longer here to recruit for us
For the reasons we’ve explained to you about a million times and won’t be repeated again by me.
guys go ring hunting not beach hunting
I superstar wont pick a team which just lose for 50 in the PO. Heat needs so me basic infrastructure first, then a superstar. Greek is that, KD is not.
I agree with your assessments Matt, exactly. With Lillard hurt so badly, Milwaukee is maybe not so much of a great spot for Giannis and for the first time, it’s viable that he might leave. Still, there are ten teams that can offer a better situation than us. We would never get him, and I agree, he is that one player amongst maybe five others who it would be worth whatever we could do to get him.
Our answers to getting back into contention won’t come that easy, unless Riley conjure’s up some of that old magic he used to possess.
LoL. what a brilliant take. You think the Heat should try to get Giannis. No wonder they put him on TV. This guy is playing 4-D chess.
Realistically, the Heat don’t have the trade chips for a guy like Giannis. If they really want to do a move like that, they need to trade Bam and Herro for draft picks and expiring contracts, build through the draft, and just try to keep adding Ware and Jaquez level players until the next superstar becomes available. I doubt they go that route, but that’s the only way to do it if you are serious about trading for a true superstar.
Otherwise, I don’t hate the idea of trading a couple picks and a couple young guys for KD. I’m not sure that makes the Heat a title contender, but they will at least be a respectable playoff team again
Pop is retiring. NBA coaches can be traded for draft picks but not players.If Riley decided not to retire, I wonder if there is room to trade Spo to San Antonio for a couple of first rounders. Quinn or one of the other coaches can be promoted or an experienced NBA coach like Malone can be brought in to fill the position.Just thinking out loud outside the box. Please don’t crucify me.
theyd want prime wade bron bosh also
Pop no longer coaching the spurs going into team president role (basically staying with the times giving way to new younger fresher coaches and ideas) and here we are stuck with an older gm instead of copying what the spurs and the Celtics have done and other teams are doing but Mia wants to continue to push a bs culture mantra. Mia here comes irrelevancy and it’s not going to be pretty
i do agree irrelevancy is coming.
When are we going to hear from our GM?
Heat don’t have any of the cards. The cupboard is bare. Not enough talent or draft picks to move. Who would want any of that? Get real !
We are in a difficult situation with a lot of obstacles, apron concerns, little draft capital, difficult to move contracts, huge weaknesses in the lineup, and maybe even an undesirable landing spot (that can change quickly but I believe we are not the destination of choice right now). Hard to see any easy directions to take.
No clue why I’m bothering to read this article it’s never gonna happen
brunson was not going to be denied.last night bam needs a little of that in him.this guy just disappears in crunch time..dav has that dawg in him.just not bams dna.i think in basketball all the ss have that dawg in them.differentiates them between them and players like bam.
Brunson is special. That guy has some skills.
maybe youll change your mind by then
Miami will be in a much better financial position to swing for the fences after 2025-2026 than before. The Heat must first get rid of players who aren’t in the teams long term plans.
Yes, the 25/26 season should be a consolidation and young players developing season to create a core, which can support a superstar coming in Miami.
That’s if we take the most intelligent approach. Lets hope we do.
so should 31 other teams
The NBA only has 30 teams….
His mind is already on football season. NFL has 32 teams.
panthers sun on my sports mind dolphins suk like heat marlins, heat .need a new innovative bright mind to fix this mess any name pop(ovich) up 2 u.i have one but hes retired living the good life in san diego where the weather is nice but the town has only one sports team
la chargers fan ?