All in on KD? Pivot to DeMar DeRozan? Gap year? The Heat have several different routes they could explore in an offseason where change could be on the horizon.
(Photo via Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat are looking to make changes, potentially personnel and talent wise, after a lackluster 2024-25 campaign filled with Jimmy Butler drama and inconsistency.

After Pat Riley’s end of season press conference, the need for that change was reassured by the team’s longtime President.

Despite the fact that Miami earned a trip into the NBA playoffs by winning out of the play-in tournament as the 10th seed, they were dismantled in the postseason. The Cleveland Cavaliers swept them in very convincing fashion—putting a nail into the coffin with two blowout victories to eliminate the Heat on their home floor.

Much like taking a gamble on a new roster move or a bold trade, fans are constantly weighing options and odds—some even explore sites offering perks like a no deposit bonus NZ to see what kind of return they might get without much risk. For the Heat, that gamble could come in the form of an aggressive trade or a full-on reset.

This was nothing that coach Erik Spoelstra could have fixed. It was deeper than any schemes or rotation tweaks. This team showed throughout this tumultuous past season that they desperately need a revamp more than ever.

Where can they ignite that spark? It could be easier to figure out much closer to training camp, but Riley and the front office have options and tough decisions to make in the very near future, at least until coming to more clarity on the state of the roster.

1. Going all in on the pursuit of Kevin Durant

The move that could give the Heat the best shot at getting back to contender status will be acquiring Kevin Durant. After being blindsided with trade talks by the Phoenix Suns at this year’s deadline, along with the failures of that Sun’s core on the court, the disgruntled star is expected to finally part ways. He will be one of, if not the most (depending on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s situation) coveted name on the market.

And there is already stiff competition for the 15-time All-Star’s services. In the most recent report from ESPN’s top insider Shams Charania, he noted that Phoenix and Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman are sorting through trade options for his next and likely final destination.

The Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves are the teams with the most mutual interest, according to Charania.

It’s worth noting that any team that lands him would likely have him under contract to a new two-year max extension. On top of his already due $54.7 million, the duration of that extension would go through the end of the 2027-28 campaign and Durant’s age-39 season at nearly $175 million in total. 

That would be about 80% of Miami’s cap for next season tied to Durant, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Miami has been linked to KD for years, and those rumors resurfaced aggressively again this year. Depending on Riley’s persistence in negotiations to make a deal happen, Durant would form an enticing fit alongside Adebayo and Herro to instantly be competitive again in a weak Eastern Conference.

This would be my offer to start, then throw Wiggins in if needed and/or Jaquez.

Avoid getting it to the Kel’el talks stage. https://t.co/u7LpjPBSRi

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 11, 2025

2. Pivot to DeMar DeRozan and/or another quality piece(s)

Granted the Heat strike out in their Durant pursuit, there could be a serviceable back up plan on the table. Rumors have additionally linked Miami to DeMar DeRozan— another aging All-Star caliber player that Riley has circled back to for years.

In fact, the Heat in talks with DeRozan in free agency last year, and was even narrowed down as the two top options in his decision along with the Sacramento Kings. Miami’s financial situation at the time was much more strapped with limited assets than now, and the six-time All-Star ultimately wound up with the Kings.

Sacramento’s underwhelming season of their own is what has brought DeRozan’s name back on the market. He doesn’t fit their timeline, and likely would want to be in a better winning situation in his latter 30’s. It’s worth noting that there shouldn’t be nearly as many assets involved to acquire DeRozan compared to a Durant acquisition.

DeRozan is still a bucket getter even at the age of 35, coming off averages of 22.2 PTS, 4.4 ASTS & 4.0 RBS on 48% shooting in 77 games played. https://t.co/qPVstrvqY1

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 10, 2025

That paves the way for Miami to still have more flexibility to pull off another move to supplement a potential DeRozan addition.

More on my Rozier, Jaquez, 2nd round swap for DeMar mock trade idea:

If the Heat can get DeRozan at a good price, I’d even be willing to flip Wiggins for Sexton straight up

Sexton/Mitchell
Herro/Highsmith
DeRozan/Pelle
Bam/Jovic
Ware

Maybe turn Duncan/Anderson expiring…

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) June 10, 2025

Whether that comes in the form of a few new quality role guys, or one more significant rotation piece, would have to be seen. May be another All-Star caliber player shakes free, like Trae Young’s situation in Atlanta?

But Riley will have attractive pieces to utilize in even a backup plan, nonetheless.

3. Gap year for the summer of 2026

Would Miami really dare to “run it back” yet again? Speaking of those pieces, some of that includes coveted expiring salaries— primarily Terry Rozier’s nearly $26 million and Duncan Robinson’s contract coming off the books. 

Robinson’s salary is only partially guaranteed, providing the Heat or any team who trades for him an opportunity to have him on the payroll next season for a $10 million discount. 

On top of that, Andrew Wiggins has a player option for the 2026-27 season, so he could opt to test free agency a year from now and give Miami yet another $30 million to work with. If no other offseason route works out, the front office will surely contemplate a soft reset. But with that, comes wasting another year for each of Herro and Adebayo who are approaching their prime years of a win-now window.

Herro is also due for a hefty contract extension of his own come October, up to three years at nearly $150 million.

Committing those financial resources to Herro would be difficult to accept if the Heat are going to remain at the bottom half of the East with no real direction. Regardless, there’s assuredly mutual interest in keeping the homegrown All-Star in South Florida long term. 

What do you want to see the Heat do this offseason? Let us know in the comments!

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