The Miami Heat recently made a series of roster moves official, setting the stage for their upcoming season. Notably, Bam Adebayo inked a lucrative three-year, $165 million extension, securing his position with the team through 2029. This deal will see him earn progressively larger amounts, culminating in $59.3 million for the 2028-29 season. Alongside this major signing, veteran forward Kevin Love committed to a two-year, $8 million contract. Love expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the team, emphasizing his eagerness to contribute and his satisfaction with the agreement during a Zoom call with reporters.
In addition to these signings, the Heat made a few other significant moves. As anticipated, they waived Orlando Robinson before his contract could become fully guaranteed on July 15. This move leaves Miami with 13 players on standard contracts, necessitating at least one more signing to round out the roster. Among the new additions, guard Isaiah Stevens joined the Heat on an Exhibit 10 contract. Stevens, who delivered impressive stats at Colorado State last season, including 16 points, 6.8 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44% from beyond the arc, is set to participate in the Heat’s training camp. Similarly, guard Bryson Warren also signed an Exhibit 10 deal and will be joining Stevens in camp.
The Heat’s attention now turns to filling their 14th roster spot. They are in ongoing discussions with free agent Haywood Highsmith regarding a potential return. Should these negotiations fall through, Miami has several options. One route involves signing another player to a veteran minimum contract or utilizing a portion of the mid-level exception. Alternatively, they could bring in another veteran free agent to bolster their depth at the forward and point guard positions.
Another strategic option for the Heat is to sign a player to a non-guaranteed contract. This approach provides flexibility, allowing the team to easily open a roster spot midseason if necessary. The Heat employed this tactic with Dru Smith last season, and it proved effective. Signing players to non-guaranteed deals enables the team to potentially add valuable contributors later in the season, especially those who become available after the trade deadline buyout period. In recent years, Miami has successfully integrated players like Kevin Love, Delon Wright, and Patty Mills in this manner.
If the Heat opt for a non-guaranteed contract again, potential candidates include familiar faces and new prospects. Dru Smith, Cole Swider, and Alondes Williams are all under consideration. Both Swider and Williams, who are restricted free agents, have yet to secure standard contracts and are currently participating in the Heat’s summer league program, showcasing their talents and making their case for a spot on the roster.
In summary, the Miami Heat have made significant moves to strengthen their team for the upcoming season, securing key players like Bam Adebayo and Kevin Love, while exploring various options to complete their roster. The team’s strategic flexibility, particularly with non-guaranteed contracts, positions them well to make further adjustments and additions as the season progresses.
