The Miami Heat still have a roster spot open, and the perfect buyout candidate may soon emerge before the 2025-26 NBA season even begins. If recent rumors are any indication, Nikola Vucevic could end up on the open market. If so, he's one of the few potential buyout candidates that could make a ton of sense for Miami.
I don't think there's much of an argument to be made against the idea that the Heat could use some added depth in the frontcourt behind Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware. Unless the Heat are going to play especially small this season, the Heat need to add another big at some point before the start of the season.
Vucevic could be a prime target. If bought out, he'd likely be signed to a one-year deal, and he has a skill set that is valued in the modern game. He may not be an elite defender at this point in his career, but he is coming off an extremely productive season in which he averaged 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Despite his flaws on the defensive end of the floor, Vucevic could still provide value in the right role.
Will the Bulls buyout Nikola Vucevic?
Maybe that's with the Heat playing behind Bam and Ware. The big question, of course, revolves around whether the Chicago Bulls will actually buy out the remaining year of his contract.
It won't happen now, and I do believe the overwhelming belief is that Chicago is going to attempt to trade him. However, if that doesn't happen, that's when we could see a buyout come into fruition. How early in the season that will happen remains to be seen.
If history does serve us right, though, if the Bulls do buyout Vucevic, it will probably come closer to the NBA Trade Deadline, if not after it.
Especially if Chicago still holds any hope in acquiring an asset in exchange for Vucevic, it would behoove them to simply wait out this process a few more months. Unless, of course, the Bulls do need the roster spot for another move. That's one variable that could throw a wrench in this entire process.
How much will the Heat value another backup big?
Another question that needs to be answered revolves around how much the Heat values bringing on another big. In theory, you'd imagine it's a necessity. However, as we've seen before, the Heat have not shied away from embracing the idea of "enough."
The Heat have had no issue in the past of embracing the small-ball movement and operating against the grain in the Association. Maybe the Heat believes they could get away with playing Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and Haywood Highsmith extended minutes at the power forward position.
If that does end up playing out that way, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise.
But if the Heat are looking to add a veteran big to help take some pressure off the shoulders of Ware and Bam, Vucevic could be a perfect stopgap option for the team. And it seems like he could soon become available.