2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 1

[3ammy3uck3ts]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

They do have serious interest and they did last summer as well so that should come as no surprise. Sure I’ll take him if they get KD but if not keep him out of here lol

[MettaWorldPanda]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

They do have serious interest and they did last summer as well so that should come as no surprise. Sure I’ll take him if they get KD but if not keep him out of here lol

Heat are not going to replace Herro with DeRozan if KD is here. It also makes no sense to break up the Ware and Bam combo to start a Bam, KD, DD, Herro, and whatever Pg we can muster up. It also makes no sense to start a clunky non pure 3 point shooting trio of Ware, Bam, and Derozan. Do we want Bam just standing in a corner hoping and praying for Demar to pass up his bread and butter mid range shot? The rumor is lazy work

[MettaWorldPanda]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

If Miami strikes out on Durant the best course of action is to look for players on expiring contracts this year that are motivated to get paid. Keep the 2026 books wide open. Makes no sense to swap a Wiggins contract for a DeRozan one. Look to Utah looking to lighten up that roster and target players like Sexton, Collins, and Clarkson.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Giving up your cap flexibility for Durant is one thing. Stacking DeRozan to your roster and putting a dent into that cap space is just roster malpractice. If we lose out on Durant we should hunting around the league to swap out Wiggins for expiring’s. The full cap sheet in 2026 and having our draft pick should be the vision. There are plenty of mid tier soon to be free agents playing for contracts like Simons, PJW, Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton just to name a few.

[Beenie]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

If Miami strikes out on Durant the best course of action is to look for players on expiring contracts this year that are motivated to get paid. Keep the 2026 books wide open. Makes no sense to swap a Wiggins contract for a DeRozan one. Look to Utah looking to lighten up that roster and target players like Sexton, Collins, and Clarkson.

If they strike out on KD etc. do you think they'll punt on the season or do you think they'll actively attempt to compete?

If its the latter, you cant dismiss the idea of them seeking out another scorer, one who can generate points at the FT line.

[He2Fast]

What is the consensus on the board about Niko’s individual potential?

What about his fit alongside the Bam/Kelel duo?

My outlook is Niko is going into his third season (his first season was a red shirt physical development), the Heat should give him an opportunity to compete as the starting 3 and be used as a scorer and play maker. Niko had a good 2nd year. 11pt, 4rb and 3ast at 37 3p% and 56 eFG is a solid performance off the bench. He is still developing physically and mentally. Like Herro he needs to stay away from injury. I think there is a Hedo Turkoglu or Detlef Schrempf in him.

This, my problem with the Heat's development system. It seems good for developing defensive roleplayers instead of stars. I would have much preferred if they tried to play him like a poor man's Luka over the years than develop a Heat big man with his skills.

I think that Niko has a good deal of potential to unlock. There’s not many in the association with his combination of size and skill set.

I agree that he needs to opportunity to be used as a scorer and playmaker Twix. There were snippets of chemistry between Niko and Kelel, as well as Bam. I think he can make the game easier for those two specifically.

Hallstar, that’s a fair assessment. I think that defense as a first, second and third priority can be detrimental. Ideally, you want to build a person by starting with what they are good at.

[MettaWorldPanda]

I see DeRozan closing out his career in LA. Either team. He’s not heading to Miami no matter what previous interest we had in the past most likely stemming from his friends Lowry and Butler.

[MettaWorldPanda]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

If Miami strikes out on Durant the best course of action is to look for players on expiring contracts this year that are motivated to get paid. Keep the 2026 books wide open. Makes no sense to swap a Wiggins contract for a DeRozan one. Look to Utah looking to lighten up that roster and target players like Sexton, Collins, and Clarkson.

If they strike out on KD etc. do you think they'll punt on the season or do you think they'll actively attempt to compete?

If its the latter, you cant dismiss the idea of them seeking out another scorer, one who can generate points at the FT line.

I think they’ll look for vets on expiring deals that can help the core of Ware, Bam, and Herro while maintaining flexibility. Look for players with a potential long term outlook with bird rights. Makes no sense to take on contracts past next year unless it’s an aging superstar like Durant or young player. Players like our current Wiggins on his PO and DeRoZan do not belong.

[He2Fast]

Bam being left off the all-defensive teams while playing with guys that couldn’t guard 3ammy doesn’t feel right.

[MettaWorldPanda]

I’m all about keeping Niko especially if the future construct of this team consist of Ware and Bam. You need a big stretch creative 4 to come off the bench complimenting those two. The 10 game losing streak coincided with Jovic’s injury. Nobody could replace the chemistry he had with both of those guys. He also seems happy in that 6th man role. If he signs that extension which I think he will consider us lucky.

[He2Fast]

I’m all about keeping Niko especially if the future construct of this team consist of Ware and Bam. You need a big stretch creative 4 to come off the bench complimenting those two. The 10 game losing streak coincided with Jovic’s injury. Nobody could replace the chemistry he had with both of those guys. He also seems happy in that 6th man role. If he signs that extension which I think he will consider us lucky.

I agree Metta. The point you made about Jovic’s injury is lost by some. He’s a connective player with potential for more.

[Crazy-Canuck]

Giving up your cap flexibility for Durant is one thing. Stacking DeRozan to your roster and putting a dent into that cap space is just roster malpractice. If we lose out on Durant we should hunting around the league to swap out Wiggins for expiring’s. The full cap sheet in 2026 and having our draft pick should be the vision. There are plenty of mid tier soon to be free agents playing for contracts like Simons, PJW, Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton just to name a few.

Wiggins is essentially an expiring. He's got a player option that he most likely opts out of to become a free agent.

If I'm Riley, I trade herro. Use the 70M in expirings (wiggins, rozier, and robinson).

Go big game hunting with herro, expirings, and future picks. If herro is as good and as valued as many heat fans think he is, there should be plenty of suitors. Build the team with Bam (not around him, there's a difference).

Bam and ware
Get an alpha, kd as an example. (I'd love fox.)
Get a 2 way wing (2 is better, but good luck with that) who can shoot the 3 ball and defend off ball.
Get a pg that can run an offense and defend.

Playoffs shows you every year that a guard who is a defensive liability is not playable unless they are the engine of the offense. And even then it's questionable.

Play 2 bigs. 1 has to be switchable to not get played off the floor.
Have big switchable wings who can defend up or down based on match ups.
Have an offensive engine.
A 6th man bucket getter.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

TBC, I dont want Derozan and am not genuinely advocating that Mia trades for him.

I do sincerely think that he is someone that Mia has a serious interest in acquiring.

He fits the profile of the aging humble vet scorer that Riley described in his presser, not to mention that Mia has previously attempted to attain him.

I'm merely preemptively suggesting that this will be a likely course of action when Mia strikes out on the bigger deals that everyone seems to want them to make.

Also adding on on how they could potentially make a Derozan deal work to their benefit though I dont think my Herro package idea for Carter n picks has any actual legs simply because Mia seems to be wedded to Herro

They do have serious interest and they did last summer as well so that should come as no surprise. Sure I’ll take him if they get KD but if not keep him out of here lol

Heat are not going to replace Herro with DeRozan if KD is here. It also makes no sense to break up the Ware and Bam combo to start a Bam, KD, DD, Herro, and whatever Pg we can muster up. It also makes no sense to start a clunky non pure 3 point shooting trio of Ware, Bam, and Derozan. Do we want Bam just standing in a corner hoping and praying for Demar to pass up his bread and butter mid range shot? The rumor is lazy work

I’m not swapping him for Herro, that’s Beenie. The Heat will be interested though

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Bam being left off the all-defensive teams while playing with guys that couldn’t guard 3ammy doesn’t feel right.

I played D1, nobody on this forum could guard me and we might as well be fielding half the roster with guys from the forum so this is a fair assessment

[MettaWorldPanda]

Jovic is reported to be 6’11 240 this offseason. Clearly you can see him getting into his grown ass man body. Only 21 still which is crazy. When looking for that one more front court piece i think someone like John Collins would fit in very well with that group. Assuming Bam is still going to log Center minutes. For roster build purposes Niko could be listed as PF/C. You have your core 3 man big rotation. If we can find someone like 6’9 230 who can play with Bam/Ware and shoot 3’s but rugged enough to play small ball Center when Jovic is in that’s what we should be looking for. On the vet side that could be John Collins. If we go the draft route that sounds a lot like Rasheer Fleming.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Giving up your cap flexibility for Durant is one thing. Stacking DeRozan to your roster and putting a dent into that cap space is just roster malpractice. If we lose out on Durant we should hunting around the league to swap out Wiggins for expiring’s. The full cap sheet in 2026 and having our draft pick should be the vision. There are plenty of mid tier soon to be free agents playing for contracts like Simons, PJW, Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton just to name a few.

Wiggins is essentially an expiring. He's got a player option that he most likely opts out of to become a free agent.

If I'm Riley, I trade herro. Use the 70M in expirings (wiggins, rozier, and robinson).

Go big game hunting with herro, expirings, and future picks. If herro is as good and as valued as many heat fans think he is, there should be plenty of suitors. Build the team with Bam (not around him, there's a difference).

Bam and ware
Get an alpha, kd as an example. (I'd love fox.)
Get a 2 way wing (2 is better, but good luck with that) who can shoot the 3 ball and defend off ball.
Get a pg that can run an offense and defend.

Playoffs shows you every year that a guard who is a defensive liability is not playable unless they are the engine of the offense. And even then it's questionable.

Play 2 bigs. 1 has to be switchable to not get played off the floor.
Have big switchable wings who can defend up or down based on match ups.
Have an offensive engine.
A 6th man bucket getter.

Yep, everyone hates on defense in favor of 1 dimensional offensive guys but we’re seeing Randle getting plsyed off the floor and benched in the 4th, same for KAT, and Brunson is constantly being attacked. Even Gobert with his lack of versatility is being benched just continuing to show year after year how fraudulent of a defender he is when it all matters.

Hopefully everyone is taking notes and seeing this, they’re likely just watching to get off hot takes of who’s better than Bam. Of the remaining 4 teams I’d say the Heat fans on the forum believe Bam would rank somewhere between 45-60 when it comes to the remaining players.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Jovic is reported to be 6’11 240 this offseason. Clearly you can see him getting into his grown ass man body. Only 21 still which is crazy. When looking for that one more front court piece i think someone like John Collins would fit in very well with that group. Assuming Bam is still going to log Center minutes. For roster build purposes Niko could be listed as PF/C. You have your core 3 man big rotation. If we can find someone like 6’9 230 who can play with Bam/Ware and shoot 3’s but rugged enough to play small ball Center when Jovic is in that’s what we should be looking for. On the vet side that could be John Collins. If we go the draft route that sounds a lot like Rasheer Fleming.

If Jovic is legit ready for that and Bam is going to play the backup center minutes I’m not sure there’s a need for Collins who will need a bulk load of minutes himself. I think Spo likes the 3 man power rotation

[MettaWorldPanda]

Giving up your cap flexibility for Durant is one thing. Stacking DeRozan to your roster and putting a dent into that cap space is just roster malpractice. If we lose out on Durant we should hunting around the league to swap out Wiggins for expiring’s. The full cap sheet in 2026 and having our draft pick should be the vision. There are plenty of mid tier soon to be free agents playing for contracts like Simons, PJW, Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton just to name a few.

Wiggins is essentially an expiring. He's got a player option that he most likely opts out of to become a free agent.

If I'm Riley, I trade herro. Use the 70M in expirings (wiggins, rozier, and robinson).

Go big game hunting with herro, expirings, and future picks. If herro is as good and as valued as many heat fans think he is, there should be plenty of suitors. Build the team with Bam (not around him, there's a difference).

Bam and ware
Get an alpha, kd as an example. (I'd love fox.)
Get a 2 way wing (2 is better, but good luck with that) who can shoot the 3 ball and defend off ball.
Get a pg that can run an offense and defend.

Playoffs shows you every year that a guard who is a defensive liability is not playable unless they are the engine of the offense. And even then it's questionable.

Play 2 bigs. 1 has to be switchable to not get played off the floor.
Have big switchable wings who can defend up or down based on match ups.
Have an offensive engine.
A 6th man bucket getter.

You can’t treat him as an expiring. Free agent money is drying up with more and more teams adjusting to the new cap rules. 30 mil is a big amount to opt out of unless you identify the team that has space wanting you. If anything he’ll be trying to force his way to a team that’s interested in extending him. Dallas reuniting with Klay seems like a good spot.

[He2Fast]

Giving up your cap flexibility for Durant is one thing. Stacking DeRozan to your roster and putting a dent into that cap space is just roster malpractice. If we lose out on Durant we should hunting around the league to swap out Wiggins for expiring’s. The full cap sheet in 2026 and having our draft pick should be the vision. There are plenty of mid tier soon to be free agents playing for contracts like Simons, PJW, Clarkson, Collins, and Sexton just to name a few.

Wiggins is essentially an expiring. He's got a player option that he most likely opts out of to become a free agent.

If I'm Riley, I trade herro. Use the 70M in expirings (wiggins, rozier, and robinson).

Go big game hunting with herro, expirings, and future picks. If herro is as good and as valued as many heat fans think he is, there should be plenty of suitors. Build the team with Bam (not around him, there's a difference).

Bam and ware
Get an alpha, kd as an example. (I'd love fox.)
Get a 2 way wing (2 is better, but good luck with that) who can shoot the 3 ball and defend off ball.
Get a pg that can run an offense and defend.

Playoffs shows you every year that a guard who is a defensive liability is not playable unless they are the engine of the offense. And even then it's questionable.

Play 2 bigs. 1 has to be switchable to not get played off the floor.
Have big switchable wings who can defend up or down based on match ups.
Have an offensive engine.
A 6th man bucket getter.

This seems logical. I think something like ending up with Sexton, Royce O’Neale, and KD, while resigning Davion, is our best case scenario, realistically.

That’d be an interesting group in a wide open East.

Sexton/Davion
Royce
KD
Bam/Niko
Ware

[MettaWorldPanda]

Jovic is reported to be 6’11 240 this offseason. Clearly you can see him getting into his grown ass man body. Only 21 still which is crazy. When looking for that one more front court piece i think someone like John Collins would fit in very well with that group. Assuming Bam is still going to log Center minutes. For roster build purposes Niko could be listed as PF/C. You have your core 3 man big rotation. If we can find someone like 6’9 230 who can play with Bam/Ware and shoot 3’s but rugged enough to play small ball Center when Jovic is in that’s what we should be looking for. On the vet side that could be John Collins. If we go the draft route that sounds a lot like Rasheer Fleming.

If Jovic is legit ready for that and Bam is going to play the backup center minutes I’m not sure there’s a need for Collins who will need a bulk load of minutes himself. I think Spo likes the 3 man power rotation

You still have to account for the long season and needing good depth. One injury to any of those guys in the front court and it becomes a death knell. Case in point Jovic getting hurt and terrible losing streak.