2025 Offseason Thread Vol.4

[EMC5466]

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[SA37]

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Potential ASB return for Dame.

That's probably optimistic. Even in that best-case scenario, he'd have a minutes restriction for the remainder of the season. I still think it'd be worth signing him and letting him practice with the team until he is ready.

[greg4012]

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Ball stopper

[greg4012]

Fans are never satisfied.
But what's this "tipping point"? What happens when tipped? The empty arena? Not watching Heat games? Become Magic fans? It's all just talking head speaks.

Everyone needs clicks and content in the attention economy.

Maybe true but doesnt invalidate the points being made.

Fans are indeed frustrated with the direction of the team and the performance of the FO.

Thats not a made up thing thats being exploited for clicks

Didn't think it invalidated anything. Just dramaticized it.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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This would solidify no LeBron to Cleveland.

[greg4012]

Spoiler:

I don't see Miami positioning the team to tank. Miami may still miss the playoffs, but the team will try to make the playoffs, and DeRozan helps with that goal. And as Riley pointed out in his end of the year press conference, Miami lost ~18 games where they had 20 point leads. If Miami cuts that in half, we're talking a 45-46-win team.

Beyond that, maybe DeRozan can help Herro (and others) improve their offensive games. Having veteran mentors is a big plus, and DeRozan has been an olympian and played in San Antonio under Popovic.

It definitely beats just letting Rozier expire.

IDK that I can agree. Adding Derozan and tying up cap for the next 2 seasons just makes Miami mid af at best while spending the next 2 seasons tied to a player playing out their age 36 and 37 season--a player that is a substantial downgrade from Jimmy Butler overall. If that's the end game for the next 2 seasons then that effectively guarantees Miami is going to overpay Herro sooner rather than later.

I much prefer biding time while focusing on youth development this season, hopefully ending up with a lotto pick in a stacked 2026 draft and enter 2026 free agency as one of the main market movers--whether that mean being the team that can leverage cap space to get future assets from other teams or being selective in buying good pieces that fit the young core and can grow with them (assuming the top of the line Free Agents slated for 2026 free agency have already extended).

If the comparison is going to be to Butler, no player Miami can realistically acquire will be better unless it's Giannis.

As I mentioned in another post, DeRozan has a $10-$12M guarantee for 2026-2027 depending on certain bonus criteria. So Miami would be in the same situation with DeRozan in a year that it was with Robinson this offseason. In other words, Miami would have a very manageable and very tradeable asset and the option to create more cap space if needed. I just don't get the "hate" for DeRozan given he is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and might only cost Miami Rozier (who no one will miss) and MAYBE a 2nd or a pick swap.

If Miami is actually going to try to acquire Kuminga, it's likely going to be on a much less flexible, much more costly (overall) contract and Miami is as likely to have signed a poor man's DeRozan or Miles Bridges at a premium as they are to have signed the next Paul George or Jalen Williams or whoever it is people think Kuminga's best-case most resembles. And it would almost assuredly come at the cost of cap flexibility over the next couple of summers.

If Miami's young'ns develop to the point some on these boards think they will Miami is still a threat to make the playoffs without DeRozan and there would be no lottery pick -- this is doubly true if Miami acquires Kuminga (and he plays to the level some think he will) and/or John Collins.

Miami can walk and chew gum at the same time, which is to say they can acquire DeRozan, Kuminga, Collins...etc and still develop their young guys. I personally don't think much of any of Miami's young guys, so I am not on board with making them the focus. I think they're all NBA-caliber players, but, think they're rotation guys. (I'm talking about Jovic, Jaquez, Larsson.) It's too early know about Ware and Kasparas or any of the other major projects, like Dru Smith, Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson. But outside of Ware, we can probably safely assume these guys are 2-3 years away from becoming regular rotation guys -- if they ever make it there.

Yea I just refer back to what I've already stated:

Adding Derozan and tying up cap for the next 2 seasons just makes Miami mid af at best while spending the next 2 seasons tied to a player playing out their age 36 and 37 season--a player that is a substantial downgrade from Jimmy Butler overall. If that's the end game for the next 2 seasons then that effectively guarantees Miami is going to overpay Herro sooner rather than later.

To add onto that, Derozan's contract for 2027 becomes fully guaranteed if he's not waived by January 10, 2027. So, it's not some magical asset with trade value. You either are wasting $10-12M in payroll/cap space for no return or paying him the full salary to have him on the roster for the full season.

Acting like this is a binary decision between Derozan and Kuminga doesn't move me. The superior decision is neither unless the goal is to be an 8-seed (which is not my goal).

It's clear you're desperate to sacrifice future moves for the sake of being marginally better next season. I disagree with that approach.

[SA37]

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I think Miami's preference is Kuminga and DeRozan is the backup plan, but Miami likely has a fixed price level for Kuminga and possibly wants a team option for 2027.

I'd be ok with Kuminga getting near his salary number via incentives in exchange for a team option in year 3. So something like, 3-years $65M (with the potential to be a 3-year, $87M deal):

Year 1: $30M, with $25M guaranteed (other $5M through bonuses)
Year 2: $32M, with $25M guaranteed (other $7M through bonuses)
Year 3: $35M, with $15M guaranteed and a team option and the whole salary would be guaranteed.

[Vertical Limit]

Its our chance to get Klutch who represents 10% of the NBA, back on the good side with Miami..


Lebron
Bronny
Knecht

For Wiggins, Andersen expiring, Font expiring. JJJ returns to LA

[SA37]

Spoiler:

IDK that I can agree. Adding Derozan and tying up cap for the next 2 seasons just makes Miami mid af at best while spending the next 2 seasons tied to a player playing out their age 36 and 37 season--a player that is a substantial downgrade from Jimmy Butler overall. If that's the end game for the next 2 seasons then that effectively guarantees Miami is going to overpay Herro sooner rather than later.

I much prefer biding time while focusing on youth development this season, hopefully ending up with a lotto pick in a stacked 2026 draft and enter 2026 free agency as one of the main market movers--whether that mean being the team that can leverage cap space to get future assets from other teams or being selective in buying good pieces that fit the young core and can grow with them (assuming the top of the line Free Agents slated for 2026 free agency have already extended).

If the comparison is going to be to Butler, no player Miami can realistically acquire will be better unless it's Giannis.

As I mentioned in another post, DeRozan has a $10-$12M guarantee for 2026-2027 depending on certain bonus criteria. So Miami would be in the same situation with DeRozan in a year that it was with Robinson this offseason. In other words, Miami would have a very manageable and very tradeable asset and the option to create more cap space if needed. I just don't get the "hate" for DeRozan given he is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and might only cost Miami Rozier (who no one will miss) and MAYBE a 2nd or a pick swap.

If Miami is actually going to try to acquire Kuminga, it's likely going to be on a much less flexible, much more costly (overall) contract and Miami is as likely to have signed a poor man's DeRozan or Miles Bridges at a premium as they are to have signed the next Paul George or Jalen Williams or whoever it is people think Kuminga's best-case most resembles. And it would almost assuredly come at the cost of cap flexibility over the next couple of summers.

If Miami's young'ns develop to the point some on these boards think they will Miami is still a threat to make the playoffs without DeRozan and there would be no lottery pick -- this is doubly true if Miami acquires Kuminga (and he plays to the level some think he will) and/or John Collins.

Miami can walk and chew gum at the same time, which is to say they can acquire DeRozan, Kuminga, Collins...etc and still develop their young guys. I personally don't think much of any of Miami's young guys, so I am not on board with making them the focus. I think they're all NBA-caliber players, but, think they're rotation guys. (I'm talking about Jovic, Jaquez, Larsson.) It's too early know about Ware and Kasparas or any of the other major projects, like Dru Smith, Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson. But outside of Ware, we can probably safely assume these guys are 2-3 years away from becoming regular rotation guys -- if they ever make it there.

Yea I just refer back to what I've already stated:

Adding Derozan and tying up cap for the next 2 seasons just makes Miami mid af at best while spending the next 2 seasons tied to a player playing out their age 36 and 37 season--a player that is a substantial downgrade from Jimmy Butler overall. If that's the end game for the next 2 seasons then that effectively guarantees Miami is going to overpay Herro sooner rather than later.

Acting like this is a binary decision between Derozan and Kuminga doesn't move me. The superior decision is neither unless the goal is to be an 8-seed (which is not my goal).

It's clear you're desperate to sacrifice future moves for the sake of being marginally better next season. I disagree with that approach.

You may get what you want: no move. That is absolutely a possibility.

If Miami didn't make another move, the difference in cap situation is $10-12M (depending on incentives) more in space than if Miami acquired DeRozan. I don't see this as being a big issue because DeRozan's contract could be moved if Miami needed to free up more space. But given there really aren't great FA options in 2026, I think having the option to keep DeRozan on a very good contract is great to have, especially if Miami makes a big trade involving Herro.

DeRozan/Kuminga isn't taking minutes away from anyone except maybe Jaquez, who was basically left out of Miami's rotation in favor of Alec Burks and Larsson. (Of course, if Jaquez is traded to acquire either, this is a moot point.) Acquiring Collins would cut into Jovic's minutes, but he has been another guy who has fallen in and out of Miami's rotation.

But, again, even if Miami doesn't make a move, they are more likely to make the playoffs than miss the playoffs unless they are just totally derailed by injuries.

[greg4012]

Spoiler:

If the comparison is going to be to Butler, no player Miami can realistically acquire will be better unless it's Giannis.

As I mentioned in another post, DeRozan has a $10-$12M guarantee for 2026-2027 depending on certain bonus criteria. So Miami would be in the same situation with DeRozan in a year that it was with Robinson this offseason. In other words, Miami would have a very manageable and very tradeable asset and the option to create more cap space if needed. I just don't get the "hate" for DeRozan given he is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history and might only cost Miami Rozier (who no one will miss) and MAYBE a 2nd or a pick swap.

If Miami is actually going to try to acquire Kuminga, it's likely going to be on a much less flexible, much more costly (overall) contract and Miami is as likely to have signed a poor man's DeRozan or Miles Bridges at a premium as they are to have signed the next Paul George or Jalen Williams or whoever it is people think Kuminga's best-case most resembles. And it would almost assuredly come at the cost of cap flexibility over the next couple of summers.

If Miami's young'ns develop to the point some on these boards think they will Miami is still a threat to make the playoffs without DeRozan and there would be no lottery pick -- this is doubly true if Miami acquires Kuminga (and he plays to the level some think he will) and/or John Collins.

Miami can walk and chew gum at the same time, which is to say they can acquire DeRozan, Kuminga, Collins...etc and still develop their young guys. I personally don't think much of any of Miami's young guys, so I am not on board with making them the focus. I think they're all NBA-caliber players, but, think they're rotation guys. (I'm talking about Jovic, Jaquez, Larsson.) It's too early know about Ware and Kasparas or any of the other major projects, like Dru Smith, Josh Christopher, Keshad Johnson. But outside of Ware, we can probably safely assume these guys are 2-3 years away from becoming regular rotation guys -- if they ever make it there.

Yea I just refer back to what I've already stated:

Adding Derozan and tying up cap for the next 2 seasons just makes Miami mid af at best while spending the next 2 seasons tied to a player playing out their age 36 and 37 season--a player that is a substantial downgrade from Jimmy Butler overall. If that's the end game for the next 2 seasons then that effectively guarantees Miami is going to overpay Herro sooner rather than later.

Acting like this is a binary decision between Derozan and Kuminga doesn't move me. The superior decision is neither unless the goal is to be an 8-seed (which is not my goal).

It's clear you're desperate to sacrifice future moves for the sake of being marginally better next season. I disagree with that approach.

You may get what you want: no move. That is absolutely a possibility.

If Miami didn't make another move, the difference in cap situation is $10-12M (depending on incentives) more in space than if Miami acquired DeRozan. I don't see this as being a big issue because DeRozan's contract could be moved if Miami needed to free up more space. But given there really aren't great FA options in 2026, I think having the option to keep DeRozan on a very good contract is great to have, especially if Miami makes a big trade involving Herro.

DeRozan/Kuminga isn't taking minutes away from anyone except maybe Jaquez, who was basically left out of Miami's rotation in favor of Alec Burks and Larsson. (Of course, if Jaquez is traded to acquire either, this is a moot point.) Acquiring Collins would cut into Jovic's minutes, but he has been another guy who has fallen in and out of Miami's rotation.

But, again, even if Miami doesn't make a move, they are more likely to make the playoffs than miss the playoffs unless they are just totally derailed by injuries.

Difference of $10M can be pretty significant in terms of free agent optionality. And that doesn't account for the difference in draft capital for a potentially all-time 2026 draft.

I just don't see the upside case for this.

[twix2500]

Ethan has stated that the FO has finally admitted what Iv been saying all year. The FO has told Ethan that being young is a priority. Moving Rozier is priorty number 1.

It appears that the Heat are committed to a core of Jakucionis, Herro, Adebayo and Ware. Over the next three years the team will be molded around those four.

[DayofMourning]

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[twix2500]

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[Daffy]

Ethan has stated that the FO has finally admitted what Iv been saying all year. The FO has told Ethan that being young is a priority. Moving Rozier is priorty number 1.

It appears that the Heat are committed to a core of Jakucionis, Herro, Adebayo and Ware. Over the next three years the team will be molded around those four.

Trust me brother. The front office hasn't told Ethan a damn thing. Being young may actually be the priority but Ethan has no sources bro.

[wade44]

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Just like that we’re officially outbid

[Hoops3355]

It would be cool to run it with LBJ and Bronny. Bronny might turn out nice as a 3 and D pg next to Herro. He's got good physical tools and high game IQ.

[SA37]

Ethan has stated that the FO has finally admitted what Iv been saying all year. The FO has told Ethan that being young is a priority. Moving Rozier is priorty number 1.

It appears that the Heat are committed to a core of Jakucionis, Herro, Adebayo and Ware. Over the next three years the team will be molded around those four.

Trust me brother. The front office hasn't told Ethan a damn thing. Being young may actually be the priority but Ethan has no sources bro.

[MiamiLoyal926]

Fun fact… I coached Bronny in flag football when they were in Miami/Gulliver. That alone makes me bias to seeing Bronny on the Heat. Would love to see that kid go through Miami Heat development. Good kid who deserves a chance, regardless of his father.

[BadMofoPimp]

Fun fact… I coached Bronny in flag football when they were in Miami/Gulliver. That alone makes me bias to seeing Bronny on the Heat. Would love to see that kid go through Miami Heat development. Good kid who deserves a chance, regardless of his father.

I think even Lebron would approve Bronny in Miami.

[batterybro42]

I want LeBron back in Miami, I want another mini parade and LeBron on the podium in the arena saying "Only 1, maybe two" when speaking about rings