The Miami Heat have wound up running it back with no major additions to the roster once again this summer. The Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro core is returning for its sixth season.
There may be some tweaks, such as a more implemented Terry Rozier getting a full training camp with the Heat’s system. There is also anticipated development from the Heat’s young players in Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr., along with bringing in some new hungry faces in the NBA draft with Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larsson. Most importantly, though, Miami has an opportunity for a fresh start in hopes of putting together a healthy season across its entire roster.
The Heat’s injury issues resulted in them being around the very top of the league in total missed games and starting lineup changes in the 2023-24 campaign. If their injury issues come up again and they find themselves in play-in conversations for the third consecutive season, overdue changes should be a possibility.
Kyle Kuzma talks highly of Heat Culture and says he has a “great respect” for Pat Riley.
The trade deadline could present the Heat another chance to bring in a game-changing piece similar to the Rozier deal this past season.
Washington Wizards star Kyle Kuzma is one of those guys who could find himself on the trade market this year. Recently, he expressed an interest in playing for Pat Riley and the Heat.
"I’ve never had a chance to interact with Pat (Riley) but I’ve always admired him. I just admired his no-nonsense approach when it came to basketball and being professional because that’s me. When I’m off the court, I’m very fun, I have all these different passions. But when I step in between the lines of basketball, I’m very, very serious because I love it and it’s important to me.
"So I just love what he stands for, and when you look at his just tutelage of the sports resume from the Showtime years up until just building what the Heat Culture is, it’s pretty phenomenal."
Kuzma’s appreciation for the Heat is interesting. Bleacher Report labeled his contract as “highly attractive” to rival teams in the market. The former LA Lakers champion is currently stuck in a losing situation in Washington and, at 28 years old, could want to play elsewhere while still in the middle of his prime. Kuzma is coming off a season averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 46% shooting.
His annual salary of $23.5 million in 2024-25 goes down to $21.5 million in 2026-27 and then $19.4 million in 2027-28. For a Heat team that has had some cap restrictions, Kuzma is on a team-friendly contract. His offensive skill set could help give a jolt to a Miami team that ranked in the bottom 10 of the league in offensive efficiency last year.
Not to mention, Kuzma's age could align with Adebayo’s timeline as a nice offensive partner in the frontcourt. He can play either forward position at 6-foot-9. If Miami’s season goes south, Kuzma presents himself as a potential trade target who has publicly expressed interest.