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The Miami Heat will prioritize developing young players and maintain flexibility for potential star acquisitions, according to people with direct knowledge of the organization’s strategy following their 37-45 season.
The Heat retained 13 of 15 players despite team president Pat Riley’s May comments about needing changes. Sources indicate Miami’s plan centers on letting young players demonstrate their abilities under Erik Spoelstra with a full training camp. A source also said the Heat haven’t given any considering to trading Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to start from scratch with extra first round picks coming in.
The organization believes draft picks Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larssen and Kasparas Jakucionis have high upside potential. Miami characterizes expanded roles for these players as “internal change” rather than external roster moves.
“We’re getting them in their developmental years,” one source said about the young core.
The Heat remains prepared to pursue star players who become available through trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo would be a target if he requests a trade from Milwaukee, though Miami’s asset collection may not compete with Houston, San Antonio and New York.
Miami made repeated efforts to acquire Kevin Durant but ultimately declined to surrender multiple assets. The organization decided against trading significant pieces for the 36-year-old forward due to concerns about championship window length.
Multiple sources confirmed the Heat never came close to completing a Durant trade. The team preferred maintaining assets for younger star acquisitions.
Terry Rozier will not be waived and stretched despite his $26.6 million salary. Miami will either trade or retain the guard for next season while maintaining roster flexibility under luxury tax thresholds. The Heat also don’t have a specific goal of creating salary cap space in 2026 despite previously signaling that plan.
