2025 Regular Season Thread Vol. 9

[VaDe255]

I doubt they do anything in the offseason, my prediction:

i) Sign Herro to a ridiculous contract
ii) Run it back with minimal changes, just hopes and dreams of internal development

oh yeah, also not trade for Giannis if he becomes available...

[marson]

I doubt they do anything in the offseason, my prediction:

i) Sign Herro to a ridiculous contract
ii) Run it back with minimal changes, just hopes and dreams of internal development

oh yeah, also not trade for Giannis if he becomes available...

There would be plenty of options this FO and with the available picks this time around. I'm quite optimistic.

[VaDe255]

I doubt they do anything in the offseason, my prediction:

i) Sign Herro to a ridiculous contract
ii) Run it back with minimal changes, just hopes and dreams of internal development

oh yeah, also not trade for Giannis if he becomes available...

There would be plenty of options this FO and with the available picks this time around. I'm quite optimistic.

Even if they had the assets lined up, the reality is that true top 5 or even top 10 players almost never get moved. And when they do, it’s usually under extreme circumstances that rarely favor the buyer. Looking at the current landscape, the best names potentially available are guys like Ja, Trae, KD, and Zion. Every single one of them comes with massive red flags: Ja’s off-court issues, Trae’s questionable impact as a small guard, KD’s age and injury concerns, and Zion’s constant health problems.

The team needs a top 5-caliber player near or entering his prime to actually move the needle. A healthy Zion would technically fit that mold, but banking on him staying healthy is almost delusional at this point given his track record.

If we're being realistic, the only true, methodical path to getting that type of player is to keep taking shots at younger prospects and selling good-but-not-great assets like Herro or Bam to either accumulate more shots or hoard enough assets to pull off a blockbuster. You need to build enough capital; picks, young players, and flexibility; to either outbid for a superstar when the rare opportunity comes or hit on one through the draft.

Right now, they don’t have any of that. Their cap space is still clogged with bad contracts (Terry, potentially Wiggins), they still owe picks, and their best prospect is Ware. There’s almost no young talent worth building around. Without major changes to their approach, they’re stuck hoping for miracles and that’s not a real plan.

This directionless approach trying to build around mid-tier talent just to stay vaguely competitive is what makes it so frustrating. The FO's track record since LeBron left has been awful, just constant mediocrity with no real vision, no real plan, and no real path out. It’s been a decade of hoping something breaks their way, while they overpay role players.

They have one single 50+ win season since Bron left, ONE!!!
It's been a decade of 0.500 basketball (basically a low playoff seed pace almost every year), this has been peak mediocraty and they still are not in position to get out of it.

[dolphinatik]

I didnt expect to win a Championship this year even with Butler. These teams are supposed to kick out tail based on their construction but they crapped the bed the last few years while we didnt. This is exactly how this is supposed to go. Nobody is going to save us. Dame and Giannis cant get it done for their squad either. It is what is it. That said its been one of the better Heat years. Tyler had a good season, all star, 3pt champ. Our rookie shows promise and reluctantly got playing time. We got a surprise win in Davion Mitchell for now. Its time for the youth movement, we are almost forced into it if we cant shed these contracts. I expect vacation plans to be fully booked after tonight.

[Kobewade11]

I expect KD’s name to come up, and at one point I was an advocate of bringing him in but ngl I think it might be over for the old guard in terms of being the piece to elevate your team to championship contender. Curry, who is arguably the defining player of the last decade looks to be the exception. Ant dispatching of KD and now potentially Cabron in B2B first rounds, Dame cant stay on the court. It’s going to be a challenging summer ahead and we might have to think outside the box about who we pursue.

[MettaWorldPanda]

I expect KD’s name to come up, and at one point I was an advocate of bringing him in but ngl I think it might be over for the old guard in terms of being the piece to elevate your team to championship contender. Curry, who is arguably the defining player of the last decade looks to be the exception. Ant dispatching of KD and now potentially Cabron in B2B first rounds, Dame cant stay on the court. It’s going to be a challenging summer ahead and we might have to think outside the box about who we pursue.

Yeah this might be one of those purgatory offseasons. They can’t go over the tax line cause they have to reset the repeater clock. We have a bunch of expiring contracts but might not want to flip them for long term money.

Bam is not getting traded no matter how many times people bang that drum and Herro is one of those players who’s more valuable to us than any other team around the league especially if it comes down to trade. The issue is not Bam and Herro. It’s all the extensive dead weight money around them on the roster.

Rozier- 26.6 expiring

Duncan- 19.8 expiring (2025 ETO 10 million cap savings with 9.8 dead weight guaranteed. 9.8 million off in 2026

Anderson- 9.2 with 9.6 non guaranteed in 2026

Highsmith- 5.6 million expiring

Love- 4.1 expiring


*Wiggins- 28.2 in 2025 with 30.1 player option in 2026


2025 cap savings- 10 million with Duncan’s ETO

2026 cap savings- 55.3 million


Wiggins 30.1 player option is kinda a crutch on the 2026 books. Almost feels like they need to deal him for a true expiring. No guarantee he opts out of 30.1 million either considering the sub par play here and he’s entering his 30’s. If we can flip Wiggins for a few expiring’s we could potentially have up to 85 million of free cap space in 2026.

*Mitchell- 7.8 RFA offer with right to match. Anything around 11 should be matched. Still only 26 his contract will be cap friendly as a long term backup PG. Mitchell at 11 million is much better than having Highsmith and Love on the roster. He should be our TJ Mcconell and his contract should also reflect his.

*Jovic- Should be extended at a reasonable figure even if it’s to keep him as a trade piece.

I feel like the big move this offseason is flipping Wiggins player option contract with a young piece in order to free up a full cap sheet in 2026. Will still try to be competitive. Maybe looking at players like John Collins, Collin Sexton, PJ Washington and Anfernee Simons on one year tryouts and getting their bird rights.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

That has to be fake lol

If not that’s gross

Unfortunately it’s real, was said prior to his game 3 stinker.

[marson]

I expect KD’s name to come up, and at one point I was an advocate of bringing him in but ngl I think it might be over for the old guard in terms of being the piece to elevate your team to championship contender. Curry, who is arguably the defining player of the last decade looks to be the exception. Ant dispatching of KD and now potentially Cabron in B2B first rounds, Dame cant stay on the court. It’s going to be a challenging summer ahead and we might have to think outside the box about who we pursue.

Yeah this might be one of those purgatory offseasons. They can’t go over the tax line cause they have to reset the repeater clock. We have a bunch of expiring contracts but might not want to flip them for long term money.

Bam is not getting traded no matter how many times people bang that drum and Herro is one of those players who’s more valuable to us than any other team around the league especially if it comes down to trade. The issue is not Bam and Herro. It’s all the extensive dead weight money around them on the roster.

Rozier- 26.6 expiring

Duncan- 19.8 expiring (2025 ETO 10 million cap savings with 9.8 dead weight guaranteed. 9.8 million off in 2026

Anderson- 9.2 with 9.6 non guaranteed in 2026

Highsmith- 5.6 million expiring

Love- 4.1 expiring


*Wiggins- 28.2 in 2025 with 30.1 player option in 2026


2025 cap savings- 10 million with Duncan’s ETO

2026 cap savings- 55.3 million


Wiggins 30.1 player option is kinda a crutch on the 2026 books. Almost feels like they need to deal him for a true expiring. No guarantee he opts out of 30.1 million either considering the sub par play here and he’s entering his 30’s. If we can flip Wiggins for a few expiring’s we could potentially have up to 85 million of free cap space in 2026.

*Mitchell- 7.8 RFA offer with right to math. Anything around 11 should be matched. Still only 26 his contract will be cap friendly as a long term backup PG. Mitchell at 11 million is much better than having Highsmith and Love on the roster. He should be our TJ Mcconell and his contract should also reflect his.

*Jovic- Should be extended at a reasonable figure even if it’s to keep him as a trade piece.

I feel like the big move this offseason is flipping Wiggins player option contract with a young piece in order to free up a full cap sheet in 2026. Will still try to be competitive. Maybe looking at players like John Collins, Collin Sexton, PJ Washington and Anfernee Simons on one year tryouts and getting their bird rights.

Which teams would actually be willing to take on the deadweight contracts you mentioned? Exactly — none.
No team is interested unless you're willing to attach either Herro, Bam, and some draft picks.

At the right price, everyone should be available. The whole "homegrown and nurtured" narrative is getting old.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Read on Twitter

That has to be fake lol

If not that’s gross

This is from the Athletics article.

Honestly, I was surprised by Tyler too. I just think it ultimately shows that the lights are too bright for Bam and Herro to fully take the mantle.

We need a true 1A, but the problem is we won't be getting one anytime soon since we keep positioning ourselves outside of the lottery. That leaves us with only one real option: trading one of them along with our young guys and picks.

The best thing happened was matching up against the number one seed again in back-to-back playoffs and seeing if Herro and Bam can step up and prove they’re ready to lead. But they're failing so far and not even giving us a glimpse of hope.

I predict one of Herro or Bam gets traded this offseason.

To be fair they went into both series with like $90M of dead weight on the roster with a “solid” at best supporting cast. I think stealing one in Boston was a win (would’ve been nice to get one of the games at home but still) and outside of last games embarrassment we had been pretty competitive in this series so far. All you really have to do is load up on Bam/Herro and there’s not much anyone else can do. Just go down swinging tonight, 30 shots a piece like Banchero last night

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Honestly shocked Herro came out mid playoff series and said that after what were 2 very competitive games lol, I’m sure the FO loved that.

[marson]

Honestly shocked Herro came out mid playoff series and said that after what were 2 very competitive games lol, I’m sure the FO loved that.

Very surprising, honestly. I thought this season he was fully embracing the role of being the 1A primary scoring option without Jimmy.
He could’ve just given a typical "We know it’s tough, but Bam and I are working through it" kind of canned response.

It looks like they're asking for a 1A superstar that won't come unless one of them is traded.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

He is definitely going ask out this summer, I feel that is a guarantee. They had no avenues to improve prior to the Dame injury, now Dame ruptured his Achilles most likely and had 2/112 left on his contract and is already out for next season.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Honestly shocked Herro came out mid playoff series and said that after what were 2 very competitive games lol, I’m sure the FO loved that.

Very surprising, honestly. I thought this season he was fully embracing the role of being the 1A primary scoring option without Jimmy.
He could’ve just given a typical "We know it’s tough, but Bam and I are working through it" kind of canned response.

It looks like they're asking for a 1A superstar that won't come unless one of them is traded.

I guess we’ll see, I felt more optimistic about them getting something done if they would’ve missed the playoffs (like they should have) and we had like a top 9 pick to go along with our other tradeable 3 1sts

[MettaWorldPanda]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

He is definitely going ask out this summer, I feel that is a guarantee. They had no avenues to improve prior to the Dame injury, now Dame ruptured his Achilles most likely and had 2/112 left on his contract and is already out for next season.

Zero chance Giannis is coming here. Bucks if they do trade him are looking for a 5-6 pick minimum package with young players to restock there cupboard. They don’t have very many picks right now. Will be full rebuild for them.

[marson]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

This also applies to the rumored team, Brooklyn. If he ends up there, he’s likely staying for the long haul, meaning it would take at least two years just to build a contender.

I really feel like deep inside he just wants to move on from Milwaukee.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

He is definitely going ask out this summer, I feel that is a guarantee. They had no avenues to improve prior to the Dame injury, now Dame ruptured his Achilles most likely and had 2/112 left on his contract and is already out for next season.

Zero chance Giannis is coming here. Bucks if they do trade him are looking for a 5-6 pick minimum package with young players to restock there cupboard. They don’t have very many picks right now. Will be full rebuild for them.

Honestly he’s probably ending up in OKC for Hartenstein/Carusos contracts and a plethora of 1sts

[MettaWorldPanda]

I expect KD’s name to come up, and at one point I was an advocate of bringing him in but ngl I think it might be over for the old guard in terms of being the piece to elevate your team to championship contender. Curry, who is arguably the defining player of the last decade looks to be the exception. Ant dispatching of KD and now potentially Cabron in B2B first rounds, Dame cant stay on the court. It’s going to be a challenging summer ahead and we might have to think outside the box about who we pursue.

Yeah this might be one of those purgatory offseasons. They can’t go over the tax line cause they have to reset the repeater clock. We have a bunch of expiring contracts but might not want to flip them for long term money.

Bam is not getting traded no matter how many times people bang that drum and Herro is one of those players who’s more valuable to us than any other team around the league especially if it comes down to trade. The issue is not Bam and Herro. It’s all the extensive dead weight money around them on the roster.

Rozier- 26.6 expiring

Duncan- 19.8 expiring (2025 ETO 10 million cap savings with 9.8 dead weight guaranteed. 9.8 million off in 2026

Anderson- 9.2 with 9.6 non guaranteed in 2026

Highsmith- 5.6 million expiring

Love- 4.1 expiring


*Wiggins- 28.2 in 2025 with 30.1 player option in 2026


2025 cap savings- 10 million with Duncan’s ETO

2026 cap savings- 55.3 million


Wiggins 30.1 player option is kinda a crutch on the 2026 books. Almost feels like they need to deal him for a true expiring. No guarantee he opts out of 30.1 million either considering the sub par play here and he’s entering his 30’s. If we can flip Wiggins for a few expiring’s we could potentially have up to 85 million of free cap space in 2026.

*Mitchell- 7.8 RFA offer with right to math. Anything around 11 should be matched. Still only 26 his contract will be cap friendly as a long term backup PG. Mitchell at 11 million is much better than having Highsmith and Love on the roster. He should be our TJ Mcconell and his contract should also reflect his.

*Jovic- Should be extended at a reasonable figure even if it’s to keep him as a trade piece.

I feel like the big move this offseason is flipping Wiggins player option contract with a young piece in order to free up a full cap sheet in 2026. Will still try to be competitive. Maybe looking at players like John Collins, Collin Sexton, PJ Washington and Anfernee Simons on one year tryouts and getting their bird rights.

Which teams would actually be willing to take on the deadweight contracts you mentioned? Exactly — none.
No team is interested unless you're willing to attach either Herro, Bam, and some draft picks.

At the right price, everyone should be available. The whole "homegrown and nurtured" narrative is getting old.

At the right price everyone should be available but that price just won’t be there. Bam is not getting traded for picks and nobody is going to give you a good amount of picks for Herro and his contract either. We are kinda stuck right now until 2026 when we have maximum flexibility around Bam and Herro. They need to get off of Wiggins in the offseason then see how the season plays out in 2025. Keep as many assets as possible. We can always trade the 2026 pick on draft day to get over the Stepien. We will be open for S&T’s and absorbing contracts. Will have many more options.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

This also applies to the rumored team, Brooklyn. If he ends up there, he’s likely staying for the long haul, meaning it would take at least two years just to build a contender.

I really feel like deep inside he just wants to move on from Milwaukee.

For the first time in his career giannis might not make sense for every team in the league lol. I mean I’d do it but it’s a major risk and this FO hasn’t shown us anything lately that has me confident they’d be able to quickly build the needed roster around him

[MettaWorldPanda]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

He is definitely going ask out this summer, I feel that is a guarantee. They had no avenues to improve prior to the Dame injury, now Dame ruptured his Achilles most likely and had 2/112 left on his contract and is already out for next season.

Zero chance Giannis is coming here. Bucks if they do trade him are looking for a 5-6 pick minimum package with young players to restock there cupboard. They don’t have very many picks right now. Will be full rebuild for them.

Honestly he’s probably ending up in OKC for Hartenstein/Carusos contracts and a plethora of 1sts

That of course makes a ton of sense. Bucks need the picks bad. Any team in a winning situation with a full cupboard of picks will be in the running.

[marson]

I’m down for a Giannis trade (Pelle, Keshad, and Jaime are untouchable) but let’s say we trade Bam, Herro, and all 3 picks…..what then? Giannis will be 31 next season without even 1 co star and his game is like 90% based on his size and athleticism coupled with the refs letting him get away with murder every game. The second he starts to decline physically he’s probably cooked and he hasn’t had any luck attracting top talent to Milwaukee, maybe that changes here in Miami though.

This also applies to the rumored team, Brooklyn. If he ends up there, he’s likely staying for the long haul, meaning it would take at least two years just to build a contender.

I really feel like deep inside he just wants to move on from Milwaukee.

For the first time in his career giannis might not make sense for every team in the league lol. I mean I’d do it but it’s a major risk and this FO hasn’t shown us anything lately that has me confident they’d be able to quickly build the needed roster around him

He’s definitely looking for a team where he can finish his career, similar to when LeBron joined the Lakers in 2018. It took them two seasons to become a contender.

If Giannis gives the green light, it’s on Riley to step up and make it happen.