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MIAMI – “What next” is typical for the Miami Heat at this time of the year, in the wake of postseason elimination. What isn’t is how many players the question pertains to in the wake of the particularly gruesome first-round exit at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In the wake of one seismic change, with the midseason trade of Jimmy Butler, more – much more – now appears likely in coming months, it practically has to, after being swept aside by the tune of an NBA-record 122-point series margin.
After a 37-45 season and first-round elimination for a second consecutive season, copacetic can’t possibly cut it for Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg, Adam Simon, Nick Arison or Micky Arison. The work has to start . . . now.
Change is coming, this time not as much about players opting to move elsewhere – as in recent offseasons with Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin seeking external vistas – but rather with a shakeup practically required.
Tyler Herro
Age: Turned 25 on Jan. 20.
Contract status: Due 31 million next season, with one additional season on contract and extension eligible on Oct. 1.
Season grade: A. Postseason grade: B-.
What’s next: Herro showed all his possibilities during an All-Star regular season and then learned about the realities of life as a leading man in the playoffs, awful at the close. Now the question is whether the Heat build around him or sell high as part of a rebuild.
Bam Adebayo
Age: Turns 28 on July 18.
Contract status: Due $37 million next season, with three additional seasons on contract.
Season grade: B+. Postseason grade: B.
What’s next: The offense finally came around later in the season, but the defense remained ever present and elite. The playoffs, though, showed more is required on the offensive end. Still, he remains a two-way franchise cornerstone.
Andrew Wiggins
Age: Turned 30 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $28.2 million next season, with one additional season on contract, a player option. Extension eligible on Oct. 1.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: D-.
What’s next: Yes, there was the 42-point eruption against the Hornets and a few other breakout moments, but also way too much time missed since his arrival. And then there was the playoff no-show. As much as ever, it seems as if he remains more a salary-cap number for a trade than part of the future.
Kel’el Ware
Age: Turned 20 on April 20.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season, with two additional seasons on contract. Team deadline of Oct. 31 for 2026-27 contract.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: D.
What’s next: With the move into the starting lineup, there was enough of a tease to create optimism for more. But then he also was game-planned out of the playoffs. There is intrigue, but there also are questions.
Davion Mitchell
Age: Turns 27 on Sept. 5.
Contract status: Will be restricted free agent if Heat tender $8.7 million qualifying offer by late June, or else unrestricted free agent.
Season grade: B. Postseason grade: B+.
What’s next: Arrived as the type of two-way guard the Heat needed and then got even better in the postseason. Still, the Heat long have been wary about the overpay for supporting pieces. A return seems about 50-50 at the moment, based on potential outside interest.
Nikola Jovic
Age: Turns 22 on June 9.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season, eligible to be restricted free agent in 2026. Extension eligible July 1.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: There were times when Jovic set up as a quality rotation piece with his unique skill set for his size. But the lack of action in the postseason still leaves doubts. If he can help facilitate a trade, he could be gone . . . if there is outside interest.
Duncan Robinson
Age: Turned 30 on April 22.
Contract status: Due $19.9 million next season on final year of contract, with $9.9 million guaranteed. Has June 29 to terminate contract, with contract otherwise becoming fully guaranteed on July 8.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: D.
What’s next: A season after showing a more complete game, the defensive deficiencies mitigated any offensive strides. The trust level then fell off a cliff in the postseason. It would appear waiving and saving $10 million would be the play.
Haywood Highsmith
Age: Turns 29 on Dec. 9.
Contract status: Due $5.6 million next season on final year of contract.
Season grade: C+. Postseason grade: B-.
What’s next: Sort of exactly what you need and expect from a player at the back end of the rotation, willing to do what is needed when needed. Even in the postseason, there were somewhat reliable contributions. At this stage, a value contract.
Pelle Larsson
Age: Turns 24 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $1.6 million next season (50% guaranteed), with club option for following season. Has Oct. 20 guarantee date.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C.
What’s next: There is something there, as shown by the bursts of potential both during the regular season and even to a muted degree in the playoffs. At this price point, you remain all-in on the potential.
Kyle Anderson
Age: Turns 32 on Sept. 20.
Contract status: Due $9.2 million next season, with one additional season at a non-guaranteed $9.7 million.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: A pro’s pro, reliable enough to be cast in just about any situation as long as the expectations are within reason. And don’t forget those buzzer-beating 3-pointers in the all-or-nothing play-in game against the Hawks. That said, a contract the Heat willingly would shed.
Alec Burks
Age: Turns 34 on July 20.
Contract status: Will become free agent July 1.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: He met the mandate of contributing when asked, while also deferring when necessary. If Robinson is waived to save the non-guaranteed money on that deal, then Burks back again at the minimum could make sense.
Kevin Love
Age: Turns 37 on Sept, 7
Contract status: Due $4.2 million next season on final year of contract.
Season grade: Mentor. Postseason grade: Incomplete .
What’s next: It became apparent early on that Love was signed to fill the Udonis Haslem role, and proved just that with his stabilizing locker-room presence. Then his father’s illness and passing had him away for the postseason. Could wind up either back or as salary filler in a trade.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Age: Turned 24 on Feb. 18.
Contract status: Due $3.9 million next season, with one additional team-option season on contract. Team-option deadline on Oct. 31.
Season grade: D-. Postseason grade: F.
What’s next: Sophomore slump? The Heat and Jaquez had better hope so, with the regression real and severe. By the time the playoffs came around, the trust was gone. While he has been mentioned as a trade chip, is value still there?
Terry Rozier
Age: Turned 31 on March 17.
Contract status: Due $26.6 million next season, with one additional season on contract.
Season grade: F. Postseason grade: F.
What’s next: Could anyone have seen it turning this bad to this degree? It is difficult to recall anything in the way of contribution, by the end out of the playoff rotation even before his ankle sprain.
Dru Smith
Age: Turns 28 on Dec. 30.
Contract status: To become restricted free agent July 1 if qualifying offer extended by June 29.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: A year ago it was the knee injury, this time the torn Achilles, both coming early in the season. And yet, hope not only remains, but also potentially a needed component if Mitchell departs in free agency.
Keshad Johnson
Age: Turns 24, June 23.
Contract status: Due $2 million next season on final year of contract, a team option with June 29 deadline.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: What set up as a developmental season proved to be just that. This was about setting up for the future, a process to remain ongoing. There was a reason for the two-year deal.
Josh Christopher
Age: Turns 24 on Dec. 8.
Contract status: To become restricted free agent July 1 if qualifying offer extended by June 29.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: The Heat often have set deadlines for such projects. Even with Christopher thriving in the G League, he could become a summer casualty, just as two-way players Alondes Williams and Cole Swider were last July.
Isaiah Stevens
Age: Turns 25 on Nov. 12.
Contract status: To become free agent July 1.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: Decision time now sets up as to whether there can be enough scoring and defense to continue with the project. The shame is he stands as the type of pure playmaker that the Heat lack.
Continue reading...
In the wake of one seismic change, with the midseason trade of Jimmy Butler, more – much more – now appears likely in coming months, it practically has to, after being swept aside by the tune of an NBA-record 122-point series margin.
After a 37-45 season and first-round elimination for a second consecutive season, copacetic can’t possibly cut it for Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg, Adam Simon, Nick Arison or Micky Arison. The work has to start . . . now.
Change is coming, this time not as much about players opting to move elsewhere – as in recent offseasons with Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin seeking external vistas – but rather with a shakeup practically required.
Tyler Herro
Age: Turned 25 on Jan. 20.
Contract status: Due 31 million next season, with one additional season on contract and extension eligible on Oct. 1.
Season grade: A. Postseason grade: B-.
What’s next: Herro showed all his possibilities during an All-Star regular season and then learned about the realities of life as a leading man in the playoffs, awful at the close. Now the question is whether the Heat build around him or sell high as part of a rebuild.
Bam Adebayo
Age: Turns 28 on July 18.
Contract status: Due $37 million next season, with three additional seasons on contract.
Season grade: B+. Postseason grade: B.
What’s next: The offense finally came around later in the season, but the defense remained ever present and elite. The playoffs, though, showed more is required on the offensive end. Still, he remains a two-way franchise cornerstone.
Andrew Wiggins
Age: Turned 30 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $28.2 million next season, with one additional season on contract, a player option. Extension eligible on Oct. 1.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: D-.
What’s next: Yes, there was the 42-point eruption against the Hornets and a few other breakout moments, but also way too much time missed since his arrival. And then there was the playoff no-show. As much as ever, it seems as if he remains more a salary-cap number for a trade than part of the future.
Kel’el Ware
Age: Turned 20 on April 20.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season, with two additional seasons on contract. Team deadline of Oct. 31 for 2026-27 contract.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: D.
What’s next: With the move into the starting lineup, there was enough of a tease to create optimism for more. But then he also was game-planned out of the playoffs. There is intrigue, but there also are questions.
Davion Mitchell
Age: Turns 27 on Sept. 5.
Contract status: Will be restricted free agent if Heat tender $8.7 million qualifying offer by late June, or else unrestricted free agent.
Season grade: B. Postseason grade: B+.
What’s next: Arrived as the type of two-way guard the Heat needed and then got even better in the postseason. Still, the Heat long have been wary about the overpay for supporting pieces. A return seems about 50-50 at the moment, based on potential outside interest.
Nikola Jovic
Age: Turns 22 on June 9.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season, eligible to be restricted free agent in 2026. Extension eligible July 1.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: There were times when Jovic set up as a quality rotation piece with his unique skill set for his size. But the lack of action in the postseason still leaves doubts. If he can help facilitate a trade, he could be gone . . . if there is outside interest.
Duncan Robinson
Age: Turned 30 on April 22.
Contract status: Due $19.9 million next season on final year of contract, with $9.9 million guaranteed. Has June 29 to terminate contract, with contract otherwise becoming fully guaranteed on July 8.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: D.
What’s next: A season after showing a more complete game, the defensive deficiencies mitigated any offensive strides. The trust level then fell off a cliff in the postseason. It would appear waiving and saving $10 million would be the play.
Haywood Highsmith
Age: Turns 29 on Dec. 9.
Contract status: Due $5.6 million next season on final year of contract.
Season grade: C+. Postseason grade: B-.
What’s next: Sort of exactly what you need and expect from a player at the back end of the rotation, willing to do what is needed when needed. Even in the postseason, there were somewhat reliable contributions. At this stage, a value contract.
Pelle Larsson
Age: Turns 24 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $1.6 million next season (50% guaranteed), with club option for following season. Has Oct. 20 guarantee date.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C.
What’s next: There is something there, as shown by the bursts of potential both during the regular season and even to a muted degree in the playoffs. At this price point, you remain all-in on the potential.
Kyle Anderson
Age: Turns 32 on Sept. 20.
Contract status: Due $9.2 million next season, with one additional season at a non-guaranteed $9.7 million.
Season grade: C. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: A pro’s pro, reliable enough to be cast in just about any situation as long as the expectations are within reason. And don’t forget those buzzer-beating 3-pointers in the all-or-nothing play-in game against the Hawks. That said, a contract the Heat willingly would shed.
Alec Burks
Age: Turns 34 on July 20.
Contract status: Will become free agent July 1.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: C+.
What’s next: He met the mandate of contributing when asked, while also deferring when necessary. If Robinson is waived to save the non-guaranteed money on that deal, then Burks back again at the minimum could make sense.
Kevin Love
Age: Turns 37 on Sept, 7
Contract status: Due $4.2 million next season on final year of contract.
Season grade: Mentor. Postseason grade: Incomplete .
What’s next: It became apparent early on that Love was signed to fill the Udonis Haslem role, and proved just that with his stabilizing locker-room presence. Then his father’s illness and passing had him away for the postseason. Could wind up either back or as salary filler in a trade.
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Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Age: Turned 24 on Feb. 18.
Contract status: Due $3.9 million next season, with one additional team-option season on contract. Team-option deadline on Oct. 31.
Season grade: D-. Postseason grade: F.
What’s next: Sophomore slump? The Heat and Jaquez had better hope so, with the regression real and severe. By the time the playoffs came around, the trust was gone. While he has been mentioned as a trade chip, is value still there?
Terry Rozier
Age: Turned 31 on March 17.
Contract status: Due $26.6 million next season, with one additional season on contract.
Season grade: F. Postseason grade: F.
What’s next: Could anyone have seen it turning this bad to this degree? It is difficult to recall anything in the way of contribution, by the end out of the playoff rotation even before his ankle sprain.
Dru Smith
Age: Turns 28 on Dec. 30.
Contract status: To become restricted free agent July 1 if qualifying offer extended by June 29.
Season grade: B-. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: A year ago it was the knee injury, this time the torn Achilles, both coming early in the season. And yet, hope not only remains, but also potentially a needed component if Mitchell departs in free agency.
Keshad Johnson
Age: Turns 24, June 23.
Contract status: Due $2 million next season on final year of contract, a team option with June 29 deadline.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: What set up as a developmental season proved to be just that. This was about setting up for the future, a process to remain ongoing. There was a reason for the two-year deal.
Josh Christopher
Age: Turns 24 on Dec. 8.
Contract status: To become restricted free agent July 1 if qualifying offer extended by June 29.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: The Heat often have set deadlines for such projects. Even with Christopher thriving in the G League, he could become a summer casualty, just as two-way players Alondes Williams and Cole Swider were last July.
Isaiah Stevens
Age: Turns 25 on Nov. 12.
Contract status: To become free agent July 1.
Season grade: Incomplete. Postseason grade: Incomplete.
What’s next: Decision time now sets up as to whether there can be enough scoring and defense to continue with the project. The shame is he stands as the type of pure playmaker that the Heat lack.
Continue reading...
