To get us through the late-Summer doldrums of the NBA, we’re reviewing teams from around the league and how their offseasons went.
Miami Heat
Key Additions:
Kel’el Ware
Alec Burks
Thomas Bryant
Key Losses:
Caleb Martin
Patty Mills
Orlando Robinson
Delon Wright
Offseason Review and 2024-25 Season Outlook:
The Miami Heat fought their way into the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament last season, earning the 8th seed. They were then promptly eliminated by the Boston Celtics in 5 games. The Miami Heat, always with their eyes on chasing championships and big stars, proceeded to then essentially run it back, losing Caleb Martin in the process.
The Heat are known for playing hard, and they still have talent on their roster, but it feels like the current iteration of the Heat is limping along and running out the clock as they wait for their next big makeover. Jimmy Butler is getting up in age, and you can pretty reliably expect him to miss 20+ games a year.
If the Heat are healthy, they’re a real good team. If they’re banged up, they’re still going to play hard and steal wins. But it’s hard to see them making any real noise this season, even in the East.
Why We Hate Them:
Because they will be down 4 starters and will still play their asses off and steal a game from you. Because my son came home from the mall with a Heat shirt because the logo looked cool. Because Tyler Herro’s sneer is annoying.
The Miami Heat, the NBA equivalent to the old man who plays daily at the gym, ignore him at your own peril.
I’ve had a long standing basketball crush on Nikola Jovic and it’s no secret that the Heat would love to move Robinson’s contract, at $19M, and try to get below the first apron, of which they are about $9.5M over. I wonder if there is someway the Kings can facilitate a deal the helps the Heat and lands the Kings Jovic. It would likely take a third team (I’m looking at Utah who only have 12 on their roster and have space to eat a deal) to make a 3 team trade happen.
Utah gets Huerter
Miami gets Colby Jones, two 2nd round picks from Kings, and two 2nd round picks from Utah.
Kings get Robinson and Jovic
Rationale:
Utah gets Huerter for just two 2nd round picks. That’s a win for Ainge.
Miami gets Jones (who feels like a Heat culture kind of guy), four 2nd round picks, and most importantly, far below the first apron which opens up a lot more possibilities for them going forward.
Kings get Duncan’s expiring deal to fill Huerter’s bench role, and a young stretch 4 on his rookie deal in Nikila Jovic.
Duncan, not Orlando, for clarification. Specifying one’s Robinsons!
To prove it is Summer, and the off time for NBA basketball, I submit the following:
I like Nikola (not Jokic) Jovic as well – but what does he add? He has some nice offense, not so great defense or rebounding. To me, he is a tall SG/SF – a stretchier Kevin Huerter. He is owed $2.4M this season with a club option for $4.5M next season. This part is attractive, as if he does not fit, he can be become an UFA in the Summer of 2025.
Likewise, Duncan Robinson, the now 30 year old former Eph* ( He played college basketball for the NCAA Division III Williams College Ephs and then the NCAA Division I Michigan Wolverines, is owed $19.5M this season but has an ETO (Early Termination Option) that expires 29 June 2025, which is essentially a fancy Player option**. Next season, if he Opts In, he is owed $20M. I like him more as a wing better than Huerter or Jovic, but not into the 1st Apron more.
Long tall, stretchier, 3 and D, weakside rim protector, preferably 6’10” or taller is still in the NBA classifieds for the Kings. Neither of these two Heat even warm that plate.
*The Ephs’ nickname (which rhymes with “chiefs”) is a shortened form of the name of Ephraim Williams, the college’s founder. The Ephs’ mascot is a purple cow, and their colors are purple and gold
**(I looked up ETO and could only find references that are 10 years old. Here is what I found: For ETOs, the player must notify the league that they are exercising an ETO and becoming a free agent. An ETO can only be included in a five year contract and must be the final year of the contract. When a player exercises an ETO, it is commonly referred to as “opting out” and when they choose not to exercise one, it is commonly referred to as “opting in”
I feel there is a Lauri Markkanan lite inside Nikola Jovic just waiting to get the opportunity.
That being said, I did not realize there was an ETO for Duncan Robinson. I doubt he takes the partial money to go elsewhere. IMO, He’s gonna take the full $19.8M, which may make the Heat all the more inclined to pay to move him.
Why do the Heat want four second round picks and Colby Jones?
I like the idea of it but it seems extremely out of balance.
They are $9M above the first apron and have reportedly been very eager to get below it. They are a bit hamstrung right now in terms of their ability to improve the roster.
I guess that could be some motivation to make that move.
Riley usually comes up with something much better than that. He has a history of solid moves.
Oh I don’t doubt that Riley is a savvy MFer, but he’s got Butler with a looming PO next year and their guaranteed contracts for next season already has them above the first apron. If Butler opts into his $50M and Duncan takes his full $19.5M, they will be approaching the 2nd apron.
I bet he moves Duncan before the deadline in a salary dump. A team like Utah or Detroit can eat Duncan’s deal for some draft capital, but I’m just hoping the Kings can get in there as well.
Colby Jones leaving is a positive. Riley considering paying him to play basketball in Miami is not likely.
I like the odds of Riley getting Markinen for a second round pick and a pair of his old shoes better than Jones going to Miami. I have a feeling there is a clearly laid out plan in Miami. Riley is chasing championships not draft picks. The kid he drafted out of UCLA is going to be good.
Hard to believe that this is Spoelstra’s 17th year at HC. He is the 5th HC in the Heat’s 37 seasons. The Kings have gone through 17 HCs over that same period. 11 trips to the playoffs for the Kings over that period (8 under Rick Adelman). 25 trips for the Heat and 3 titles and 7 finals appearances.
Hate is probably a strong word, but I sure do possess more than a bit of envy. Organization done right.
Riley has been in control for a long time. He is smart.
Just as the late Jerry West was an NBA legend as a player and then in retirement as player, he’s hailed as the Top Exec of all time, Riles has also transitioned in Hall of Fame style from being a fantastic Head Coach with 5 titles (4 with the Showtime Lakers, one with the Heat 2006) to amassing prestigious respect as President of the Miami Heat. Some guys are just that darn good.
Instead of his Kentucky college career and middling (at best) NBA playing days, he became so much more and so much bigger – and for so very long. He’s 79 and dammit, he is still handsome with great hair. Another reason to hate the Heat, right there.
I have zero hate for Miami and Riley. Miami has done it right consistently and Riley is a legend.
Badge Legend