2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 1

[3ammy3uck3ts]

When’s Dragics first day on the job? That’s step 1 if Luka doesn’t sign the extension.

[batterybro42]

Luka can sign the extension with the Lakers August 2nd

IFFFF he does not and we have not made a move by then, I hope we just run this back, and have the discussion again in the summer. No new deals get under the tax line, play the season out. Let our assets gain value, and continue to build with them moving forward. Miami would have the salary cap available to sign Luka outright. Then you have Herro on the last year of his deal who could be shipped out with all our draft capital to bring in another star or he may have taken the step himself. I do not rule this scenario out, with the Lakers being asset depleted, and LeBron over the age of 40. They will have a difficult time retooling that team, and I am not sure how much the foreign guy who is a bit awkward will enjoy the entire Lebron experience over the next year.

This Lakers situation is far trickier than most would see it on its face

Can't Luka get the most money if he doesn't extend?

Technically the most money he can get is resigning on a 3 year deal I believe and then earning the super max with 10 years of tenure. He can do that anywhere however.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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[batterybro42]

Luka can sign the extension with the Lakers August 2nd

IFFFF he does not and we have not made a move by then, I hope we just run this back, and have the discussion again in the summer. No new deals get under the tax line, play the season out. Let our assets gain value, and continue to build with them moving forward. Miami would have the salary cap available to sign Luka outright. Then you have Herro on the last year of his deal who could be shipped out with all our draft capital to bring in another star or he may have taken the step himself. I do not rule this scenario out, with the Lakers being asset depleted, and LeBron over the age of 40. They will have a difficult time retooling that team, and I am not sure how much the foreign guy who is a bit awkward will enjoy the entire Lebron experience over the next year.

This Lakers situation is far trickier than most would see it on its face

Luka's decision this offseason is HUGE. He either (1) opts to sign a 2+1 extension which would lock him in with LA through the 2028 season, at which point he'll have accrued 10 years in NBA and will be supermax eligible for his next deal (with any team); or (2) he doesn't sign anything this offseason and plays out the 2026 season and then opts for 2026 free agency (where LA has no built-in advantage in terms of offering him more) where he would likely aim to sign a 2+1 deal with any team and opt out after 2 seasons to secure a supermax.

LA is in a pretty tricky spot in terms of finding avenues to improve the team around Luka. All indications are that LeBron is going to opt into his contract for next season, which gives them no real flexibility with free agency. LA basically has 1 tradeable FRP, Dalton Knecht, and then the following bevy of current role players that they have available to trade to build something better around Luka, Lebron, and Reaves:

- Rui Hachimura ($18M expiring after next season)
- Gabe Vincent ($11.5M expiring after next season)
- Maxi Kleber ($11M expiring after next season)
- Jarred Vanderbilt (under contract through 2027)

If I were LA, I'd add Austin Reaves to the pool of players to trade for the best big possible. He's due to get paid after next season and he's not the best complement to Luka.

The thing is, the role players that LA may trade also make up all of their best defensive players--so what are they really gonna make out of them that will improve the overall team?

If LA doesn't get blessed with a big time frontcourt player this offseason, Luka doesn't sign an extension this offseason and next season just ends up being a LeBron farewell tour, then things will be fascinating for a Luka free agency in 2026. LA will presumably have some cap space to work with if Lebron retires, but the pool of 2026 free agents provides nothing compelling for a long-term pairing for Luka outside of Jaren Jackson Jr.

Jaren Jackson Jr is not supermax eligible, so his contract extension negotiations this offseason should be impactful. If he extends with MEM, then LA has no real star pairing to target in 2026 to put with Luka. This article is a good breakdown of his contract situation: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2025/05/28/jaren-jackson-jr-contract-extension-memphis-grizzlies/83427328007/

With all that said, all indications are that there will be A LOT of transactions across the NBA this offseason. I'm certain the Heat will be involved. The question is if the Heat will make a big move or just be a facilitator and aim to further clean up the books and assets for the years to come. I'm mostly in favor of that approach unless a really compelling deal manifests.

2026 NBA draft looks like a really special one (although that is often said a year out). I wouldn't be mad with another dev season (maybe Bam and Herro miss some extended time).

I would like to think Miami can get enough intel from Goran to make an informed decision on the matter, and begin planning accordingly. I don't think Miami needs to outright tank, but I would not be upset to see it happen. I do think the team as currently constructed will get better, and I think you may be able to get something back in terms of assets for expiring guys at the deadline if the team is trending negatively. To me if Luka does not sign the extension you might as well go all in on the idea of getting him, you will at minimum get the meeting. Long term that is the best possible scenario as you can get Luka for space, and not have to give up any of the limited assets we do have to get him. You then have Bam, Herro, Luka, Ware, JJJ, Pele, this years 1st and the 26 first all under contract, with the ability to possibly move a guy like Herro bundled with some other guys to upgrade the 3rd wheel if need be. That entire core will all be 28 or younger too with the viability to have a 5-8 year stretch of contending basketball.

If the scenario is possible I don't think you waste time with a KD or a Derozan this summer, you keep the cards you have and keep it moving.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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[Flash4thewin]

Luka can sign the extension with the Lakers August 2nd

IFFFF he does not and we have not made a move by then, I hope we just run this back, and have the discussion again in the summer. No new deals get under the tax line, play the season out. Let our assets gain value, and continue to build with them moving forward. Miami would have the salary cap available to sign Luka outright. Then you have Herro on the last year of his deal who could be shipped out with all our draft capital to bring in another star or he may have taken the step himself. I do not rule this scenario out, with the Lakers being asset depleted, and LeBron over the age of 40. They will have a difficult time retooling that team, and I am not sure how much the foreign guy who is a bit awkward will enjoy the entire Lebron experience over the next year.

This Lakers situation is far trickier than most would see it on its face

Can't Luka get the most money if he doesn't extend?

Technically the most money he can get is resigning on a 3 year deal I believe and then earning the super max with 10 years of tenure. He can do that anywhere however.

Odds are he does that and take the 3 year deal to go for the super max.

The problem ignored for us is that to have that max cap space we need to basically forgo resigning Mitchell, forget about Jovic, and find some way to trade Wiggins for an expiring contract. Basically we will be worse for the next two seasons, and thats with no guarantee we even sign a max player, this is just to have that opportunity to do so.

Now try selling that to Bam our cornerstone franchise player, odds are he wont like it. Bam saw first hand how we were unable or unwilling to get another star when it was just him and Jimmy here. We are asking him to do that again with him getting closer to 30?

[greg4012]

Can't Luka get the most money if he doesn't extend?

Technically the most money he can get is resigning on a 3 year deal I believe and then earning the super max with 10 years of tenure. He can do that anywhere however.

Odds are he does that and take the 3 year deal to go for the super max.

The problem ignored for us is that to have that max cap space we need to basically forgo resigning Mitchell, forget about Jovic, and find some way to trade Wiggins for an expiring contract. Basically we will be worse for the next two seasons, and thats with no guarantee we even sign a max player, this is just to have that opportunity to do so.

Now try selling that to Bam our cornerstone franchise player, odds are he wont like it. Bam saw first hand how we were unable or unwilling to get another star when it was just him and Jimmy here. We are asking him to do that again with him getting closer to 30?

1) 2026 offseason is 1 season away (not the next 2 seasons)

2) I don't think anyone is ignoring the fact that Wiggins plus Mitchell on the books means Miami has less than max cap space. It's about having sufficient flexibility (expirings, contracts of value, etc) to be able to accommodate a max slot should it be warranted. For instance, by the time next offseason rolls around, Wiggins will either be (a) already traded to another team, (b) with Miami and opting out of the final year of his deal and thus becoming a free agent, or (c) with Miami and opting into the final year of his deal and thus a $30M expiring contract for the 2026-2027 season that is a solid starting 3&D wing for any team.

It's very likely that even if Miami is in a holding pattern waiting for 2026 offseason for a big swing that ancillary book-management moves will be made before then or at that time. Miami should have a lot cleaner books to sign a max free agent in 2026 than they did when they pulled off the sign and trade for Jimmy.

3) No one is operating as if any of this is anything more than just speculating on what is possible within the framework of the NBA landscape and rules should things break certain ways.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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GET IT DONE PATRICK!!!

[Crazy-Canuck]

It's surprises me that fans (not all, but in reality should be none) prefer to trade bam before herro. Makes zero sense to me.

[marson]

It's surprises me that fans (not all, but in reality should be none) prefer to trade bam before herro. Makes zero sense to me.

I'm not saying Bam should be traded, it's actually a compliment to him, because he'd bring in more value in trades than Herro.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

It's surprises me that fans (not all, but in reality should be none) prefer to trade bam before herro. Makes zero sense to me.

I'm not saying Bam should be traded, it's actually a compliment to him, because he'd bring in more value in trades than Herro.

Also if you spent any time on the Heat board you'd be able to read when certain posters are being sarcastic.

Now back to more fun speculation, I can't even begin to imagine how many lobs Bam would get playing with Luka, that's a dream pairing.

[marson]

It's surprises me that fans (not all, but in reality should be none) prefer to trade bam before herro. Makes zero sense to me.

I'm not saying Bam should be traded, it's actually a compliment to him, because he'd bring in more value in trades than Herro.

Also if you spent any time on the Heat board you'd be able to read when certain posters are being sarcastic.

Now back to more fun speculation, I can't even begin to imagine how many lobs Bam would get playing with Luka, that's a dream pairing.

If Luka plans to test free agency in 2026, there's no point in trading for KD. Save the assets, run it back next season, and make a push for Luka instead.

[RexBoyWonder]

All these Luka/Giannis fantasizes are depressing.

We're not getting any star in his prime. 0%.
And we shouldn't want any 35YO+ about to fall off type star.

This front office needs to finally deal with all the bad decisions they made, god knows there were plenty. The only way out of the hole they dug is to take a step back, rebuild young, add high picks, get some assets and talent in the door.

Anything else beside facing reality will result in more miserable seasons like we just had, or worse.

[Kobewade11]

All these Luka/Giannis fantasizes are depressing.

We're not getting any star in his prime. 0%.
And we shouldn't want any 35YO+ about to fall off type star.

This front office needs to finally deal with all the bad decisions they made, god knows there were plenty. The only way out of the hole they dug is to take a step back, rebuild young, add high picks, get some assets and talent in the door.

Anything else beside facing reality will result in more miserable seasons like we just had, or worse.

Do you think they've made any good moves over the last 5 or so years?

Btw I also agree that we don't currently have the assets for any star in is prime. Maybe that changes if the IG model Jaime gets his groove back and Jovic/Ware take significant leaps.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

It's surprises me that fans (not all, but in reality should be none) prefer to trade bam before herro. Makes zero sense to me.

I was asking this the other day based on what each player has been able to do in and Heat jersey pretty much but didn’t get a legitimate answer, I’m not sure what it is with Herro. Sounds like neither are going anywhere though and Herros about to get his $50M a year extension

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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I’ve seen a lot of Cavs fans mad at this but Suggs is a perfect glue guy 3 and D player and obviously still young. Get that 3 point % to hover around last seasons numbers and he’ll be good to go. I’d assume Cleveland also gets a pick at least in this scenario so could use it to build elsewhere if they like. Mitchell without Garland since he came to Cleveland has averaged 30-5-7 with a 61TS%. I think there’s too much overlap between the 2 and the lesser player in garland takes a lot of reps away from Mitchell (which might help in the RS but hurts in the playoffs).

I would love to have Suggs on the Heat. Cavs saw how important Nesmith/Nembhard were against them and decided to go get their own.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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I’ve seen a lot of Cavs fans mad at this but Suggs is a perfect glue guy 3 and D player and obviously still young. Get that 3 point % to hover around last seasons numbers and he’ll be good to go. I’d assume Cleveland also gets a pick at least in this scenario so could use it to build elsewhere if they like. Mitchell without Garland since he came to Cleveland has averaged 30-5-7 with a 61TS%. I think there’s too much overlap between the 2 and the lesser player in garland takes a lot of reps away from Mitchell (which might help in the RS but hurts in the playoffs).

I would love to have Suggs on the Heat. Cavs saw how important Nesmith/Nembhard were against them and decided to go get their own.

Suggs is a great fit with Mitchell and Garland works better in Orlando. I agree this is a good trade for both sides.

[MettaWorldPanda]

All these Luka/Giannis fantasizes are depressing.

We're not getting any star in his prime. 0%.
And we shouldn't want any 35YO+ about to fall off type star.

This front office needs to finally deal with all the bad decisions they made, god knows there were plenty. The only way out of the hole they dug is to take a step back, rebuild young, add high picks, get some assets and talent in the door.

Anything else beside facing reality will result in more miserable seasons like we just had, or worse.

I agree. If Luka leaves the Lakers it would be a black eye for a historic franchise and the league. He’s not going anywhere. I know some are holding out hope for that pipe dream and thinking Dragic is going to be some type of recruiting difference maker but i think Luka coming here is pretty much a slim to non chance. I actually think we have a better chance at Giannis and that’s as slim as it gets as well lol.

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[greg4012]

All these Luka/Giannis fantasizes are depressing.

We're not getting any star in his prime. 0%.
And we shouldn't want any 35YO+ about to fall off type star.

This front office needs to finally deal with all the bad decisions they made, god knows there were plenty. The only way out of the hole they dug is to take a step back, rebuild young, add high picks, get some assets and talent in the door.

Anything else beside facing reality will result in more miserable seasons like we just had, or worse.

I agree. If Luka leaves the Lakers it would be a black eye for a historic franchise and the league. He’s not going anywhere. I know some are holding out hope for that pipe dream and thinking Dragic is going to be some type of recruiting difference maker but i think Luka coming here is pretty much a slim to non chance. I actually think we have a better chance at Giannis and that’s as slim as it gets as well lol.

Read on Twitter

Definitely a slim chance. Wish Luka's extension timing lined up with the beginning of the offseason rather than the end.

[greg4012]

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With the emergence of Ware, Bam should be able to drop a little bit of weight (can he just transfer it to Ware somehow??) and get back some more of that burst.

A full offseason should be a blessing for most of our guys. Still need an infusion of more perimeter playmaking than just Herro to really start curing the Heat's offense tho.