With the league minimum for roster size at 14, the Miami Heat will have to make another move in the aftermath of Haywood Highsmith’s trade departure. 
(Photo via Miami Herald)

In a luxury tax saving move, the Miami Heat traded 3 and D wing Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. Additionally, Miami attached a 2032 second-round draft pick to move off Highsmith’s $5.6 million salary.

All the Heat got in return in the deal was a heavily protected second-round pick, which they likely won’t have. 

Highsmith earned his way into being a staple of coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation over the years. And he was set on having a crucial bench role once again in the 2025-26 season. Despite a decline on the defensive end last year, the undrafted forward still provided two-way versatility as an improved 3-point shooter for the Heat’s depth.

Miami avoided the repeated tax penalty by offloading Highsmith, while also opening another roster spot. They currently have 13 of a possible 15 guys on standard deals, and will have to fill at least one more spot to meet league minimum requirements. 

One addition on a veteran minimum contract would still keep them under that tax line. But who are the realistic targets out there that the Heat would consider? 

1. Alec Burks 

A legitimate argument can still be made that Alec Burks earned his way into another one-year deal with Miami this past season. Yet, he still remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent. 

He brought professionalism and poise both on and off the court for the Heat last year— and even stepped up as a starter during the late season push into the playoffs. 

Burks led Miami in 3-point efficiency as one of the best floor spreaders, brought solid defense on the perimeter and had a high IQ at the age of 34. Considering the Heat will now need to make a cheap addition, a return for Burks should still be in the cards now.

2. Dru Smith

Another former Heat guard eyeing a return heading into the upcoming new campaign is Dru Smith. 

Although he’s coming off his second consecutive season-ending injury, Smith has been rehabbing in Miami and is expected to make a full recovery. In the games that Smith appeared in last season, his development in the Heat’s system was on full display.

He became a strong individual defender and point-of-attack threat on the perimeter. His 3-point shot was also improving rapidly, and even earned his fair share of starting minutes while he was ascending in Spoelstra’s rotation. 

The Heat can opt to bring Smith back into the fold for a fourth time. And if not now, a midseason signing is still a possibility as well.

3. Kai Jones

It was recently reported that Miami was working out athletic big man Kai Jones. The former first-round pick hasn’t been able to find a steady tenure with a team yet, but there’s still a lot of untapped potential there.

Jones is a young, high flying rim presence on the offensive end. However, he hasn’t shown the ability to spread the floor in his time in the league yet, along with displaying true upside on the defensive end. 

His numbers from a season ago are underwhelming. Per 36 minutes though, Jones put up nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds. If given a real role, the Heat could have something there in the much needed backup big position. 

There’s been no updates on Jones/Miami since the initial workout reports. But he could be the perfect low-risk, high-reward addition. 

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