Miami Heat’s offseason movement will need to be smart if they want to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020 as the free agency period opens up.
Caleb Martin returns to team on three-year deal
The Miami Heat and Caleb Martin came to an agreement on a three-year, fully guaranteed contract that will see the organization use its entire taxpayer mid-level exception.
This move does not hard cap the organization but it does very likely take them out of the running to sign free agents for more than the minimum.
However, this does not take them out of the running for a star player and only helps solidify their rotation with the loss of P.J. Tucker.
The Heat is still not done making moves and a trade or multiple trades will inevitably be on the horizon as they look to move Duncan Robinson’s contract.
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Miami is aggressively going after Donovan Mitchell
Despite the reports that Donovan Mitchell might return to the Jazz, there are conflicting reports that state he might be on the move if the right offer presents itself.
The team to reportedly watch for is the Miami Heat as they could offer a package centered around Tyler Herro and many first-round picks with possible pick swaps.
Herro would be very intriguing to Danny Ainge, who really wanted to draft him when he led the Celtics. It would be an Ainge-type move to send Utah into a full rebuild.
These rumors come off a massive trade that sent Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was rumored but the package was really massive compared to what was expected.
Keep an eye on the Utah/Mitchell situation because the Miami Heat would be the heavy favorite to land his services if he is on the move.
Victor Oladipo returns, P.J. Tucker leaves, Dewayne Dedmon returns
Victor Oladipo will return to the Miami Heat on a one-year, $11 million contract that will see him in his third season with the organization. Meanwhile, P.J. Tucker expectedly bolts for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Oladipo is one of Miami’s prized possessions from the 2021 NBA Trade Deadline and the organization wanted another year with a full offseason for the guard.
On the other side, Tucker leaves a hole at the four that needs to be replaced with two players now. A trade with Duncan Robinson’s contract is the best way to go if there are no bigger fish.
Dewayne Dedmon has also returned to Miami on a two-year, $9 million deal but the second year will have some protections, most likely relating to performance.
Miami one of Kevin Durant’s preferred teams
Kevin Durant shocked the NBA world on Thursday afternoon before the free agency period opened with a trade request from the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant has tabbed the Miami Heat and Phoenix Suns among his list of preferred destinations for his next organization. However, it gets complicated from a Miami standpoint.
They can not trade Bam Adebayo to the Nets with Ben Simmons on the Nets roster due to each of them signing extensions with the Designated Rookie Extension rule.
Therefore, if Miami wants to include Adebayo in a potential package, it would need to include a third team to send him to so they can reroute more assets to the Nets.
The Heat could offer Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, and multiple first-round picks without including Jimmy Butler or Adebayo in a potential package.
It will be something to monitor moving forward as one of the greatest pure scorers in the NBA’s history will be finding a new future home.
