2025 Regular/Offseason Season Thread Vol. 10

[VaDe255]

If they’re not blowing it up, which seems very unlikely, here’s what I’d like to see this offseason:

i) Re-sign Davion – Securing him should be a top priority. He’s a perfect fit and still young.
ii) Under no circumstances give away picks for aging stars (e.g., KD) – Trading future assets for players like KD would be a mistake. The team isn’t an old KD away and preserving flexibility is more valuable than chasing names.
iii) Move on from Rozier, Duncan, and Wiggins – I don’t think any of them are part of the long-term vision. I’d be open to attaching JJJ in a deal too—his ceiling seems limited, and much of his value was tied to his rookie contract.

Overall, treat this as another development year. They own their pick, so even if things don’t go as planned, it’s not the end of the world. The goal should be to continue evaluating and developing Tyler, Bam, Jovic, Ware, Davion and Pelle (plus the 20th draft pick); see who can grow into long term contributors.

Besides, I think they’re better than their record this year, and if they finish in the playoffs, a lot of the narratives around their young players will flip—and their value will increase.

This approach keeps future options open and leaves the door wide open for making a real move when the right opportunity evetually comes (just imagine if they could pull off adding a 30y old Jimmy like player to this core, they'd be instant top 4 in the East).

[unowen85]

Send Jaime to LA for Dalton.

[wade44]

If they’re not blowing it up, which seems very unlikely, here’s what I’d like to see this offseason:

i) Re-sign Davion – Securing him should be a top priority. He’s a perfect fit and still young.
ii) Under no circumstances give away picks for aging stars (e.g., KD) – Trading future assets for players like KD would be a mistake. The team isn’t an old KD away and preserving flexibility is more valuable than chasing names.
iii) Move on from Rozier, Duncan, and Wiggins – I don’t think any of them are part of the long-term vision. I’d be open to attaching JJJ in a deal too—his ceiling seems limited, and much of his value was tied to his rookie contract.

Overall, treat this as another development year. They own their pick, so even if things don’t go as planned, it’s not the end of the world. The goal should be to continue evaluating and developing Tyler, Bam, Jovic, Ware, Davion and Pelle (plus the 20th draft pick); see who can grow into long term contributors.

Besides, I think they’re better than their record this year, and if they finish in the playoffs, a lot of the narratives around their young players will flip—and their value will increase.

This approach keeps future options open and leaves the door wide open for making a real move when the right opportunity evetually comes (just imagine if they could pull off adding a 30y old Jimmy like player to this core, they'd be instant top 4 in the East).

Ultimately, this team is in need of an alpha and until they get one it will be shuffling chairs with different players playing the same broken roles.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

If they’re not blowing it up, which seems very unlikely, here’s what I’d like to see this offseason:

i) Re-sign Davion – Securing him should be a top priority. He’s a perfect fit and still young.
ii) Under no circumstances give away picks for aging stars (e.g., KD) – Trading future assets for players like KD would be a mistake. The team isn’t an old KD away and preserving flexibility is more valuable than chasing names.
iii) Move on from Rozier, Duncan, and Wiggins – I don’t think any of them are part of the long-term vision. I’d be open to attaching JJJ in a deal too—his ceiling seems limited, and much of his value was tied to his rookie contract.

Overall, treat this as another development year. They own their pick, so even if things don’t go as planned, it’s not the end of the world. The goal should be to continue evaluating and developing Tyler, Bam, Jovic, Ware, Davion and Pelle (plus the 20th draft pick); see who can grow into long term contributors.

Besides, I think they’re better than their record this year, and if they finish in the playoffs, a lot of the narratives around their young players will flip—and their value will increase.

This approach keeps future options open and leaves the door wide open for making a real move when the right opportunity evetually comes (just imagine if they could pull off adding a 30y old Jimmy like player to this core, they'd be instant top 4 in the East).

If they have some big plan in mind I’m definitely cool with this and they very well may in summer 2026. I just don’t want to be in no man’s land with no plan in mind while our guys continue to get older, are due for new bigger contracts, etc.

If this is the route they choose though I want the primary focus on massive Herro/Bam reps scoring the ball. Put them in tough positions and make them grow, when we get that true number 1 it’ll do nothing but help having those 2 as comfortable as possible on that end

[batterybro42]

I am in the camp that the best move Miami could make is one that gets Zion Williamson on this roster, without the sacrifice of a player like Herro. Then it comes down to getting Zion in real basketball shape for probably the first time since he was at Duke.

Something like Wiggins, Jovic, and Ware + Pick 20 for Zion

I love Zion's contract and protections built into it. If you are going to take a shot on somebody like KD why not do it with a guy who is 24 years old who is a low downside risk, with massive upside reward. Unless there is just something physically or mentally wrong with Zion, I do not see why we would not be able to cut him down to playing weight. That's supposed to be Miami's thing.

When the guy plays he is elite

He averaged 25/7/5 in 28 MPG this year shooting 57% from the field and has shot 59% in his NBA career.

The mere gravity somebody like Zion would create would place Bam and Herro right into their respective roles again, and allow other players to thrive. Zion cannot be defended 1on1 on the perimeter, he can just bully his way inside and get up a good look. If you have watched him play in the NBA everybody knows what he is going to do, but nobody can really defend it at all. He is too big too strong too explosive. He is the modern equivalent to some sort of small ball Shaq.

Give me

Mitchell
Herro
Highsmith
Zion
Bam

You try to flip JJJ and Roziers expiring for another piece if the team looks good towards the deadline. If it does not that is fine you blow it up don't extend Herro, and do a firm reset as we enter the 2026 and beyond window. Basically I am willing to give up #20, Ware, and Jovic on a 50% chance that Zion can be worked up to a point where he can play an actual NBA season. I think that is a fantastic trade for the Pelicans as well.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m cool with Zion due to the protections on his contract. Closer to low risk, sky high reward. Healthy Zion is generational

[Beenie]

Probe the trade market/ free agency for a highly skilled ball handler with upside

Lamelo could potentially be had at a relatively cheap price

Ty Jerome is a free agent and Cleveland may struggle to retain him

It’s imperative that if Mia keeps Herro that they regulate his touches to more of an off ball shooter.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

[DayofMourning]

Was laughing thinking about our straddling the fence nature.

Had a chance to get a lotto pick and potentially move up.

Nope, lets go to the playoffs and set the record for biggest blowout loss ever in a series.

Thats comically bad lol.

[greg4012]

Read on Twitter

As I've suggested, unless LA gets another lopsided gift from the NBA in the trade market this season, the avenues for LA improvement are very limited leading up to and including 2026 free agency.

If next season becomes a LeBron farewell tour and they don't improve the roster with some great reinforcements, then LeBron retiring after the season (or moving on) means that LA is banking on the free agency market in 2026.

Take a look at the pool of "star" FAs available in 2026 and tell me what is the big swing move that sets them up for contention with Luka post-Lebron? The closest thing I see that isn't an ancient player on his last legs is Jaren Jackson Jr. But, I'd bet he extends with Memphis before 2026 free agency.

Interesting times ahead.

[greg4012]

Was laughing thinking about our straddling the fence nature.

Had a chance to get a lotto pick and potentially move up.

Nope, lets go to the playoffs and set the record for biggest blowout loss ever in a series.

Thats comically bad lol.

Yea it was annoying. Could have had a locked in top 10 pick with real chance at top 4. But, I get it with the pick ramifications.

We stay straddling though, for sure.

I see the KD vision and like it for the right price, but it's also another short term move that puts Miami right back in this same exact position in 2-3 years (which is all good if the gamble pays off and KD keeps his level of play).

I'm also very much OK with committing to the 2026 play with clean books and effectively just Bam and smaller contracts on multi-year deals (Luka dream is still alive with me). But, if Miami maxes Herro early to eliminate the 2026 flexibility AND doesn't make a big trade this offseason then I have no idea what they're doing.

[Flash4thewin]

Was laughing thinking about our straddling the fence nature.

Had a chance to get a lotto pick and potentially move up.

Nope, lets go to the playoffs and set the record for biggest blowout loss ever in a series.

Thats comically bad lol.

I think just speculating that the players had a different mindset vs the front office. You had Bam imply he wants to win now. We went on that 10 game losing skid with very questionable coaching moves. Then after the 10 games it was like ok time to go back to normal and Spo was normal. Just looks and feels like the organization wanted to tank but our “culture” came back in a clutch to bite us in the butt. Players bought into the culture talk which lead us to lose a top pick.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

The interesting thing about Luka (and someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not a cap expert), is that due to the trade, LA can't actually super max him more than any other team, which Dallas would have been able to do. Meaning if he isn't committed to being in LA, for the first time in a while we may see a real free agent superstar situation. Which has all but died in the era of the current CBA.

I dunno, part of it feels like its meant to be, he's a generational talent that has one flaw (for LeBron it was inability to go for the kill, which Wade taught him, for Luka its conditioning which we're built for), and a team that is setting itself up to have cap space for that season. Could be Riles swan song as a GM, one last real whale. Bam/Ware gives a dynamic at least reminiscent of Gafford/Lively in Dallas, no Kyrie but Tyler arguably fits better in some ways because he's more of a spot-up threat.

A lot needs to happen before we get there, and afaik other than vague Goran connections there's nothing that links Luka to Miami. But that's my dream scenario that seems at least vaguely possible. The biggest feather in our cap being, if Luka actually takes it to free agency, we don't have to compete with other teams' packages, and the combination of Miami as a city with the "culture" to fix Luka's rep could be very enticing, if he embraces it.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Was laughing thinking about our straddling the fence nature.

Had a chance to get a lotto pick and potentially move up.

Nope, lets go to the playoffs and set the record for biggest blowout loss ever in a series.

Thats comically bad lol.

I think just speculating that the players had a different mindset vs the front office. You had Bam imply he wants to win now. We went on that 10 game losing skid with very questionable coaching moves. Then after the 10 games it was like ok time to go back to normal and Spo was normal. Just looks and feels like the organization wanted to tank but our “culture” came back in a clutch to bite us in the butt. Players bought into the culture talk which lead us to lose a top pick.

I dunno, I don't think Spo or the coaches were intentionally tanking. Thing is if they were, that doesn't explain the players all but giving up the last 2 games of the series. Why would they bust their asses to get into the playoffs and then throw when they get there?

To me, if anything it was the opposite, the players got burnt out on the culture stuff, which is why they threw in the towel in that series. Just total burnout top to bottom, even Spo seemed fried. I think, assuming we don't mortgage our future for KD or anything stupid like that, the best thing to happen next season would be for Bam and Tyler to have "injuries" on and off and us to lose 50+ games, secure a top pick, and be in prime position to reload in 2026.

[greg4012]

The interesting thing about Luka (and someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not a cap expert), is that due to the trade, LA can't actually super max him more than any other team, which Dallas would have been able to do. Meaning if he isn't committed to being in LA, for the first time in a while we may see a real free agent superstar situation. Which has all but died in the era of the current CBA.

I dunno, part of it feels like its meant to be, he's a generational talent that has one flaw (for LeBron it was inability to go for the kill, which Wade taught him, for Luka its conditioning which we're built for), and a team that is setting itself up to have cap space for that season. Could be Riles swan song as a GM, one last real whale. Bam/Ware gives a dynamic at least reminiscent of Gafford/Lively in Dallas, no Kyrie but Tyler arguably fits better in some ways because he's more of a spot-up threat.

A lot needs to happen before we get there, and afaik other than vague Goran connections there's nothing that links Luka to Miami. But that's my dream scenario that seems at least vaguely possible. The biggest feather in our cap being, if Luka actually takes it to free agency, we don't have to compete with other teams' packages, and the combination of Miami as a city with the "culture" to fix Luka's rep could be very enticing, if he embraces it.

Confirmed. Negates the huge limitation that has existed for the life of the current CBA (since around 2017) with regards to a real free agent market existing for any superstars less than 10 years in the league. This could be the exception. Interestingly, Lakers seem to NEED the superstar free agent market to save them in order to keep Luka, but ironically Luka is the only sub-30 superstar that would actually be on the FA market.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

The interesting thing about Luka (and someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not a cap expert), is that due to the trade, LA can't actually super max him more than any other team, which Dallas would have been able to do. Meaning if he isn't committed to being in LA, for the first time in a while we may see a real free agent superstar situation. Which has all but died in the era of the current CBA.

I dunno, part of it feels like its meant to be, he's a generational talent that has one flaw (for LeBron it was inability to go for the kill, which Wade taught him, for Luka its conditioning which we're built for), and a team that is setting itself up to have cap space for that season. Could be Riles swan song as a GM, one last real whale. Bam/Ware gives a dynamic at least reminiscent of Gafford/Lively in Dallas, no Kyrie but Tyler arguably fits better in some ways because he's more of a spot-up threat.

A lot needs to happen before we get there, and afaik other than vague Goran connections there's nothing that links Luka to Miami. But that's my dream scenario that seems at least vaguely possible. The biggest feather in our cap being, if Luka actually takes it to free agency, we don't have to compete with other teams' packages, and the combination of Miami as a city with the "culture" to fix Luka's rep could be very enticing, if he embraces it.

Confirmed. Negates the huge limitation that has existed for the life of the current CBA (since around 2017) with regards to a real free agent market existing for any superstars less than 10 years in the league. This could be the exception. Interestingly, Lakers seem to NEED the superstar free agent market to save them in order to keep Luka, but ironically Luka is the only sub-30 superstar that would actually be on the FA market.

Would be almost poetic in a way to see LA gifted a star one last time by the league, only to have that star walk away organically because the Lakers just aren't "it" anymore. But we'll see. It is interesting that they are set up terribly for Luka's free agency though, unless they think the appeal of Austin Reaves is going to keep him in LA.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

The interesting thing about Luka (and someone correct me if I'm wrong as I'm not a cap expert), is that due to the trade, LA can't actually super max him more than any other team, which Dallas would have been able to do. Meaning if he isn't committed to being in LA, for the first time in a while we may see a real free agent superstar situation. Which has all but died in the era of the current CBA.

I dunno, part of it feels like its meant to be, he's a generational talent that has one flaw (for LeBron it was inability to go for the kill, which Wade taught him, for Luka its conditioning which we're built for), and a team that is setting itself up to have cap space for that season. Could be Riles swan song as a GM, one last real whale. Bam/Ware gives a dynamic at least reminiscent of Gafford/Lively in Dallas, no Kyrie but Tyler arguably fits better in some ways because he's more of a spot-up threat.

A lot needs to happen before we get there, and afaik other than vague Goran connections there's nothing that links Luka to Miami. But that's my dream scenario that seems at least vaguely possible. The biggest feather in our cap being, if Luka actually takes it to free agency, we don't have to compete with other teams' packages, and the combination of Miami as a city with the "culture" to fix Luka's rep could be very enticing, if he embraces it.

This is true and Dragic supposedly begins his role with us this summer. Dragic is Luka’s mentor, if we get to summer 2026 and Luka hadn’t extended I like our chances as much as anyone.

Edit: I see Greg beat me to it

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Those ties run DEEP, Luka looking for a place to feel at home after Dallas stabbed him in the back. Where better than with someone like Dragic who’s watched him grow since a very young kid?

[eddieheatfan]

i want dragic as the next coach in miami. this wont happen as long as riley is here. spo have him by the nuts lol

[twix2500]

I do not want Luka............