2025 Offseason Season Thread Vol. 2

[VaDe255]

I used to feel the same way, but in today's NBA draft picks are immensely valuable as trade chips. The Heat are always running with a deficit of firsts, when the name of the game now is stockpiling firsts.

In many ways, the Heat have been left in the past.

Wrong.

They can hoard all the Jaquez/Jovic level picks they want, it won’t get them a star like Giannis or SGA. Other franchises will always have more attractive assets to offer when it matters.

Let’s not pretend these picks are some golden currency. Most teams, especially contenders, don’t have the time or patience to develop multiple “maybe” prospects. These picks mainly appeal to rebuilding teams that are stockpiling and tanking, not the teams who have win now players.

At some point, you need to pivot from collecting talent to consolidating it. Magic figured that out: they paid 3 firsts for Desmond Bane and another first just to offload salary.

Passing on Durant to protect mid firsts and developmental projects? Great, that’s a missed win now window, plain and simple. Keep telling yourself whatever you need to cope

That’s the sad reality of it all, we passed on it because we didn’t want to include guys who likely are never more than solid role players. This place would be buzzing if we landed KD today and we’d be discussing follow up moves/signings to round out the roster to try and go win a championship over the next 2-3 years. This franchise has become far too comfortable with mediocrity

I was totally fine with something like Jovic + 2 firsts + matching salary if that’s what it took to get KD. That’s probably right around the Houston offer the difference is they sweetened it with all those 2nds and that might’ve been enough to tip the scale.

It really came down to how Phoenix viewed the packages. If they see Green as a future starter, even with that awkward backcourt fit, they probably value his upside more than a few solid role player types (it is quite a gamble). Frustrating because they might have passed on KD in favor of developmental pieces who may never be more than rotation guys

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Turns out Duncan Robinson wasn't even eligible to give the Suns cap relief until July 8th

Houston deal can’t be finalized until around then either

[Shewasfly]

Read on Twitter

For the fourth time in a decade, the Heat fell short in an attempt to land 15-time All Star Kevin Durant, and the reasons for that became clearer on Sunday evening.

According to a source with direct knowledge, the Heat not only declined to offer center Kel’el Ware, but also did not offer forward Nikola Jovic to Phoenix in final discussions between the team before Suns shipped Durant to Houston on Sunday.

Also, the source said that Miami was never willing to offer more than one first-round pick.

The Heat’s final offer included Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, two bench players and the 20th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft. Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr. were discussed as those two additional pieces in Miami’s offer, the source said.

In order for Miami to make the deal cap compliant and offer the Suns more than only Wiggins, Rozier and the 20th pick, Miami was willing to take on the salary of an unnamed Suns player, according to an Eastern Conference source.

NBA reporter Marc Stein said earlier this week that the Heat had interest in Suns wing Cody Martin.

But Phoenix ultimately wasn’t tempted by a package of Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick.

The Heat presented other permutations but did not want to offer Ware and was very reluctant to include Jovic or additional draft inventory.

Instead, the Suns accepted Houston’s offer of wings Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 overall pick in Wednesday’s draft and five second-round picks. Miami’s offer wasn’t considered to be competitive with Houston’s, according to an Eastern Conference source in touch with the Suns.

Ultimately, Miami declined to offer Ware, the second-year center who finished in the top 20 in the league last season in both rebounds and blocks per 48 minutes.He averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 64 appearances (36 starts) as a rookie last season.

Miami also did not want to part with Jovic, who averaged 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds in his third NBA season.

The Heat could have offered as many as two first-round picks if the trade had been made and announced before the NBA Draft and as many as three if the trade had been agreed to, but not finalized, until after the draft.

But the Heat offered only the 20th pick and declined to dangle its first-round pick in 2030 or 2031. Miami’s first-round picks in 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 are off limits due to terms of the 2024 Rozier trade that will send a lottery-protected first round pick to Charlotte in 2027 or otherwise, an unprotected first-round pick in 2028.

I'm not sure if I believe that the Heat didn't offer Jovic at the end. However, The #10 pick might have been too enticing to any rebuilding team to pass up regardless.

[dubasilva]

I'm so happy this KD nonsense is over.

Now that this dude is almost 40, can Pat finally give up? KD doesn't want to come to Heat. He never did; he repeatedly used the Heat to get what he wanted. He would not survive the Heat Culture practices. He wants to be on a team that will let him skip a few games, pay him a ton of money, and be competitive.

[fincane30]

Turns out Duncan Robinson wasn't even eligible to give the Suns cap relief until July 8th

Houston deal can’t be finalized until around then either

True but Duncan wasn't in the Heat's best reported offer either. I wonder who wanted him in the deal less

[VaDe255]

Jesus it really was this: Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick

Holy lowball...

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Wrong.

They can hoard all the Jaquez/Jovic level picks they want, it won’t get them a star like Giannis or SGA. Other franchises will always have more attractive assets to offer when it matters.

Let’s not pretend these picks are some golden currency. Most teams, especially contenders, don’t have the time or patience to develop multiple “maybe” prospects. These picks mainly appeal to rebuilding teams that are stockpiling and tanking, not the teams who have win now players.

At some point, you need to pivot from collecting talent to consolidating it. Magic figured that out: they paid 3 firsts for Desmond Bane and another first just to offload salary.

Passing on Durant to protect mid firsts and developmental projects? Great, that’s a missed win now window, plain and simple. Keep telling yourself whatever you need to cope

That’s the sad reality of it all, we passed on it because we didn’t want to include guys who likely are never more than solid role players. This place would be buzzing if we landed KD today and we’d be discussing follow up moves/signings to round out the roster to try and go win a championship over the next 2-3 years. This franchise has become far too comfortable with mediocrity

I was totally fine with something like Jovic + 2 firsts + matching salary if that’s what it took to get KD. That’s probably right around the Houston offer the difference is they sweetened it with all those 2nds and that might’ve been enough to tip the scale.

It really came down to how Phoenix viewed the packages. If they see Green as a future starter, even with that awkward backcourt fit, they probably value his upside more than a few solid role player types (it is quite a gamble). Frustrating because they might have passed on KD in favor of developmental pieces who may never be more than rotation guys

Agreed, I’d be fine with the rumored package that the Suns wanted (that tells me they would’ve accepted). Wiggins Duncan or Terry Jovic Jaime Highsmith and 2 1sts (we apparently were getting Royce back in this as well) we could’ve easily made vet minimum signings to replace those guys and we would’ve still had a big expiring and a 1st to trade for more support as well.

[fincane30]

It appears the front office wanted KD far less than fans did. Why? We may never know. But it turns out that "only at our price" thing was very real

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Turns out Duncan Robinson wasn't even eligible to give the Suns cap relief until July 8th

Houston deal can’t be finalized until around then either

True but Duncan wasn't in the Heat's best reported offer either. I wonder who wanted him in the deal less

It’s getting to the point with Duncan where I’d be shocked if they even cut him to sign Mitchell

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Jesus it really was this: Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick

Holy lowball...

Rinse and repeat, we expect these teams to hand us their stars because we’re the Heat I guess. I don’t fuxkin know anymore, this isn’t the front office I grew up on

[SoFlaKingReal]

KD or not, I think everyone on here can agree that Riley needs to step down.

I'd love to hear the reasoning from anyone on this board that wants Riley to stay versus retire right now

[MartyCONLONNN]

Jesus it really was this: Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick

Holy lowball...

Unserious offer. The fact that they refused to include Jovic is unreal as well... if you're keeping Ware WHY are you holding onto your bench 4 man? should be 1 of the easiest value pieces to offer. at least you can argue that Jaquez would be needed as a wing

[fincane30]

KD or not, I think everyone on here can agree that Riley needs to step down.

Is there anyone on this board that wants Riley to stay versus retire right now

Riley is the human meat shield for everyone and I'm sure he doesn't mind being the guy who gets hits with all the barbs. But is has been reported consistently that this isn't one man operation. Nick Arison is involved, Andy and Spo. They all along with others get a say.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Omg Haliburton just tore his Achilles, holy **** man

[Shewasfly]

It appears the front office wanted KD far less than fans did. Why? We may never know. But it turns out that "only at our price" thing was very real

I think they just thought they had it in the bag, and that the other teams in the running were lowballing as well as far as talent/real assets. So they didn't feel the need to offer more. Turns out they were very wrong (which is still not something to let slide as fans).

[fincane30]

Jesus it really was this: Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick

Holy lowball...

Unserious offer. The fact that they refused to include Jovic is unreal as well... if you're keeping Ware WHY are you holding onto your bench 4 man? should be 1 of the easiest value pieces to offer. at least you can argue that Jaquez would be needed as a wing

Houston hung on to their bench 4 in Jabari Smith. He sat behind Thompson in the back half of the year. He will behind KD now as Thompson bumps down to the 3

[MettaWorldPanda]

Turns out Duncan Robinson wasn't even eligible to give the Suns cap relief until July 8th

Houston deal can’t be finalized until around then either

Yup. Houston has to shed some salary and so do the Suns. I think Houston is going to release Londale here soon and the Suns will be dropping Micic and Martin.

[SoFlaKingReal]

It appears the front office wanted KD far less than fans did. Why? We may never know. But it turns out that "only at our price" thing was very real

I think they just thought they had it in the bag, and that the other teams in the running were lowballing as well as far as talent/real assets. So they didn't feel the need to offer more. Turns out they were very wrong (which is still not something to let slide as fans).

I think it may have been the opposite. They really didn't care if they got KD or not.

[dubasilva]

It appears the front office wanted KD far less than fans did. Why? We may never know. But it turns out that "only at our price" thing was very real

To sell tickets and merchandise. It is a business.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Jesus it really was this: Wiggins, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith and the 20th pick

Holy lowball...

Unserious offer. The fact that they refused to include Jovic is unreal as well... if you're keeping Ware WHY are you holding onto your bench 4 man? should be 1 of the easiest value pieces to offer. at least you can argue that Jaquez would be needed as a wing

Houston hung on to their bench 4 in Jabari Smith. He sat behind Thompson in the back half of the year. He will behind KD now as Thompson bumps down to the 3

Sengun Smith Durant FVV Thompson is the new starting lineup