Report: Following Jimmy Butler Departure Date, Miami Heat Drops Reality Check On Team’s Reported Interest In Veteran Free Agent Forward…

Following their second trip through the NBA Play-In Tournament and their humiliation at the hands of the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Miami Heat were allegedly looking to make some changes to their team. But it hasn’t actually occurred. Training camps don’t start for another two months, so there is still time, and there are rumors that the Heat might make one or two moves.

Last season, Miami finished 46-36, which was the Heat’s sixth consecutive winning campaign. But the Heat were plagued by injuries, limiting Jimmy Butler to just 60 games, Tyler Herro to just 42, and Terry Rozier to just 31 games following his acquisition. Each of the 21 players that the Heat used made at least seven appearances. The Heat had the second-lowest point average in the playoffs with 92 points per game, and Butler and Rozier missed the whole playoff series against the Celtics.

For the past two seasons, the Heat have struggled with offense. Miami has placed in the bottom five in scoring and the bottom ten in shooting the last two years, which prompted head coach Erik Spoelstra to declare that the Heat’s offensive problems were their main priority.

“I will focus on that, and the coaching staff will meet frequently to devise an offensive strategy that will be more effective.”Depending on who was available, we essentially had three main offensive concepts this season and a lot last season. Taking everything into account, I believed we were making progress in each of those areas. But maintaining the uniformity got difficult. Additionally, depending on who was available, different play styles were used. So, while I don’t want to justify who was and wasn’t available, we also need to consider what is and isn’t real.

When Will The Miami Heat Trade Jimmy Butler and Express Interest in a Forward Who Is a Veteran Free Agent?

The biggest offseason decision made by the Heat was to extend Bam Adebayo. Despite being a reliable scorer for the last five seasons, Adebayo’s reputation is still primarily based on his rebounding and defense. Kevin Love was re-signed by the Heat, but he is now a full-time backup because he will turn 36 before the season starts.

Both Haywood Highsmith and Thomas Bryant lean significantly more toward defense than offense. Although the Heat’s strength is in their frontcourt, 20-year-old Ke’el Ware may not see much action. The first-round draft pick showed promise by playing well on both ends during the summer league.

Pelle Larsson, a second-round selection, had a nice summer, but he’ll probably be going back and forth from Sioux Falls to Miami for the majority of the season. Their most significant offensive addition this offseason is probably Alec Burks. However, after being acquired by the New York Knicks from Detroit during the trade deadline, the 33-year-old struggled.

Why then has the Heat not done much in the offseason?

General manager of the Heat Andy Elisburg stated, “The focus was going to be a little bit more on the draft opportunities and then maybe some other smaller opportunities.” “A) Keeping our own free agents, or B) the minimums or a few deals with minor exceptions. Because we’re less likely to be able to complete those kinds of deals, that’s how I believe we entered the summer with a greater focus on these kinds of transactions and perhaps less on the others.

Roster and Pay Situation

Over the first apron, Miami started the offseason. The Heat have one unfilled roster space and are still below the second apron ($1.2 million) despite raising their salaries. However, the Heat are expected to owe $26 million in taxes due to their repeated offenses.

The Heat may have to pay that much in taxes, thus the question is: Will they want to participate in the Play-In Tournament once more? For 2025–2026, the Heat have committed nearly $191 million to 11 players.

Rumor has it that Duncan Robinson, Butler, and Herro may be moving this summer. Robinson has $39 million left on his contract over the next two seasons, but he established himself as a crucial rotational player again past season. The Heat are mainly interested in using him as a trade chip. Herro is the more valuable player, though, and the Heat don’t seem adverse to trading him in order to bolster their roster.

How Should Jimmy Butler Be Handled?

Turning to Butler, the Heat reportedly desired a maximum deal from Butler, who became eligible for one starting on July 6. Shams Charania of The Athletic, however, claimed that Butler will forego the extension and become a free agent the next year before to free agency. Next season, he has a $52.4 million player option.

This offseason, the Heat run the possibility of losing Butler for nothing. Would they be open to working with him before the deadline for trades? Pat Riley, the president of basketball for the Heat, has stated that he is unwilling to work with Butler.

In a Sirius XM interview, Elisburg stated, “It doesn’t have to be something you do now, as Pat said at his press conference.” There’s a chance to do something at any time of the year because you have the opportunity to do it. Additionally, if he becomes a free agent the following year, there will be a chance for him to negotiate a contract at that time. Thus, the chance to do so is constant.

But if the Heat start off slowly, or if they select No. 9 or 10 before the trade deadline, would they have a change of heart and let go of Butler, who is paid $48.7 million?

When asked why Miami doesn’t trade Butler before the season begins in order to obtain the necessary facilitator, some draft capital, and possibly some salary-cap relief, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel offers his opinions.

Whether it’s the February trade deadline, the start of free agency, or the draft, there are undoubtedly key dates on the NBA schedule that indicate when things are about to get serious. August is not one of those months, when cap space has all but dried up across the league and players signed over the offseason cannot be dealt until at least December 15. Therefore, the midseason would be the next opportunity if it was decided how to proceed—or not—with Jimmy Butler. Having said that, don’t forget how Jimmy has helped the Heat win these last five seasons.

Marcus Morris Has Heat Interested in Him?

The Heat have one open roster space, as was previously mentioned. Marcus Morris included, it doesn’t seem like the Heat will add anyone given their salary situation. Morris is rumored to have attracted interest from numerous organizations and is anticipated to join with Cleveland or Philadelphia.

When asked if the Heat will add Morris or anybody else, Winderman responded, “They effectively are, unless there is a dramatic change in their position against the luxury tax.” “Most of the time, a team’s interest is brought up in reference to past interest or an effort to establish a market for a player. However, if quality for a player regarded as a potential rotation player is still available on the free-agent list at the veteran minimum. The Heat would then probably at least take the math and other dollars into account. However, once more, it appears that at this point it would have to be for a player regarded as a surefire rotation component.