SILENCE: Miami Heat’s Free Agency INACTION Sparks FAN OUTRAGE | Will GIANNIS Rescue Their Offseason?

SILENCE: Miami Heat’s Free Agency INACTION Sparks FAN OUTRAGE | Will GIANNIS Rescue Their Offseason?

Free agency is in full swing around the NBA, but Miami has been dangerously quiet. What’s the plan? Is there any move the team can make before it’s too late? We’ll break down the latest on today’s episode of Locked on Heat. [Music] You are Locked on Heat, your daily Miami Heat podcast, part of the locked on podcast network. Your team every day. All right, welcome to Locked on Heat, your daily podcast on the Miami Heat. Whether you’re tuning in on YouTube or on your favorite podcast app, thanks for making Locked on Heat your first listen every day. I’m Wes Goldberg here with David Rmill. Both of us are credentialed Heat Media members who cover this team every day for daily content on the Heat. Click that subscribe button on YouTube. Make sure you are following us on your podcast app. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. But right now, new customers get $150 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins on FanDuel. Have a big show for you today. We’re going to talk about what’s left for the Heat to do in free agency and some options to fill out the roster. Then get into some of this new reporting about Giannis. Uh but let’s start with day one of free agency. David, we’re 15 hours into free agency. We’re recording this on Tuesday morning. We were going to record maybe something Monday night, but they didn’t do anything. And 15 hours in, the Heats still haven’t made a single addition. Now, things can obviously change here um at any minute, but today we should at least expect a Kasparis uh Kasparis uh to to sign his rookie deal. He’s eligible to sign that as of today. Nikil Yovic also eligible to sign an extension as of today. So, we’ll see what happens there. But, in terms of outside additions, the Heat haven’t done anything. And many of the best free agents have already signed and Heat fans are frustrated and they should be. Heat fans should be frustrated. Uh, this team was 37 and 45 last year. Got blown out in the playoffs at a historic blowout, wiped off the floor, embarrassed, and you keep hearing the reporting about, oh, you know, the Heat, they don’t believe in the change for the sake of change. Well, this is not change for the sake of change. You stink. 3745. Any change is because you stink and you’re trying not to stink anymore. and you’re built half-hazardly after the Jimmy after Jimmy Butler sabotaged the season. He had to trade him halfway through the year. So that’s why I say all of that to say this. This cannot possibly be the plan. David, I don’t know what went what happened in day one. I don’t know if they were trying to get some of these guys and were spurned. You know, you’ve seen Nel Alexander Walker signed with Atlanta. There was some reporting on Monday that maybe Miami was trying to get in on that. All I know this cannot be pos this cannot possibly be the plan. Pat Riley, Andy Ellburg, Nick Harrison, Adam Simon, Eric Spolstro, these guys are too smart, too savvy to think that, yep, 37 and 45 blown out by the Cavaliers. That’s good for us. We feel really good about where this roster is. I have to believe that the Heat are working on something if only to maintain my sanity. David, I think that’s a great strategy on your part. And yet, I think that’s unfortunately not the case. I don’t see any plan from them because that’s not how this team operates. They make a splash. They do it right away. They if they have something that they’re interested in, they pursue it and they go after it before anybody else does because that’s just how this team has always worked. And so the fact that here we are a day into free agency and nothing’s happened yet, I don’t know if there is a move to be made. I think they’re waiting for the the trident to fall to them rather than being aggressive and active in pursuing something. They made Kevin Durant and the pursuit of Kevin Durant their priority. And as much as we talked about them having to have some kind of a plan B or a plan C or a plan W at this point, I don’t know that there is one. And I’m not sure what’s left because this team obviously needs a lot more help than they’re capable of getting. and there’s nobody left on I don’t think there was any big name on the free agency market to begin with that was going to substantially alter the outcome of this team but either either the move is Kaminga in a signing trade deal maybe they’re just working out those details and that’s fine I guess and I mean look I I guess it’s a it’s an okay move and and I don’t want to underell the addition of Kaminga because there’s promise there he’s a young player and you’re kind of resetting the table in terms of your your I can’t even call it a champion ship window anymore, but whatever this next iteration of the E team is, yeah, you’re you’re kind of resetting that with a younger addition in Kaminga if if in fact that’s the deal and they’re just kind of hammering out details. But that’s not to say that they couldn’t add some kind of key role player who could make some kind of a substantial addition or or just contribution to this team. They don’t have that kind of player. Look, I you almost don’t want to be smmerged. The roster is currently constructed because
why not?
Haime Hawkins Jr. could have a bounce back. Nico Yoic could be healthy and make an impact. Hell, maybe even Terry Rosier becomes a functional NBA player again. But that’s banking on a lot and hoping for a lot. And as many a wise person has said before, you can crap in one hand and wish in the other and you get basically the same exact thing. And right now the Heat don’t have much other than crap in their hands. And they just that’s what the record from last year reflects. So I don’t know. You you better make some kind of a change soon. We should be bismerching the roster. We should be holding this front office accountable. If you if this is the team going into next season, that is malpractice. It is unacceptable. I don’t care about your we don’t change for the sake of change and 2026 is the big summer and all this stuff. You cannot possibly put this product back in front of your fans. That would be ridiculous. Make change for the sake of change. This team stinks. You won 37 games last year. You got completely outclassed in the playoffs. You’re not close to doing anything. And the timeline isn’t even It’d be one thing if they won 37 games with a bunch of young players. You’re like, “All right, yeah, you know, they they got some playoff experience. We play we feel pretty good about this.” I don’t know what Bay Adabio is 27 years old. He’s been in two NBA finals. I I don’t really know what the the plan is. Look, I’m not I we are 15 hours in and it feels like an eternity. We are also we are not even 24 hours into free agency. Things can change very quickly. You might be right, David. Maybe it is a Jonathan Kaminga thing. I said um in the lockdown heat live stream kind of previewing free for agency. Don’t expect the Kaminga thing to happen right away. These things are really difficult. These signing trades are very very difficult. It requires two, three, four different parties when you consider the the two primary teams plus the agents and the players plus probably multiple other teams to facilitate the trade because and you can go ahead and Google this, but just Google base salary sign and trade NBA and and you can figure out why this is so complicated in terms of kaminga potentially here, but um it what I can’t figure out is a couple of things. I don’t know what the direction is.
Yeah.
And if you wanted to do the Kaminga thing, that’s fine. That’s I get it. And you got to leave the roster spot open for whatever reason. I I get that. I understand that. But like, why bring back Kasha Johnson? What was that all about? Couldn’t you have used that roster spot if you were trying to be more flexible? I like Kasha Johnson. You couldn’t just let him go and resign him to a two-way contract. Why are we guaranteeing Kasha Johnson’s salary for next year? What has he shown at the NBA level? Zip. Nothing. wave him. I’ll tell I I could I could promise you nobody’s picking him up. He would clear waiverss. I guarantee it. I I didn’t understand that move. I didn’t understand even like tendering I love Drew Smith, but tendering him again as a restricted free agent like what’s I can’t on a two-way. What is what’s the deal here? And and if you’re a Heat fan and you’re frustrated, I get it. I’m maintaining hope. I have to believe that there’s something that they are working on and I’ll tell you why in a second. But because there are signs that they’re working on something, but to see Na Alexander Walker sign with Atlanta, to see Taius Jones sign with Orlando, to see the Hawks get better, to see the Magic get better with Desmond Bane and the Hawks go ahead and get Chris Sports teams in your own division.
Hell, the Hornets added Colin Saxon
to see Yeah. uh heat trade target heat fan favorite trade target for the last three years. Colin Ston goes to another Southeast Division rival in Charlotte and it looks and and and to see Jordan Clarkson get bought out by Utah and then signed with the Knicks. I don’t know that Clarkson would have been the answer. The point is all of these teams around you are doing things and you’re guaranteeing Kashad Johnson’s contract for next season. So if you’re a Heat fan, I understand the frustration. even if you’re working on something over here, some of these other smaller things just didn’t make sense. And it’s really frustrating because we were so excited after the Kasparus Yakonis slipped to us at 20 here. And that’s fun, but that cannot be the plan is to hope that a potential lottery pick slipped to you at 20. I cannot believe that that was the plan all along. Following the season, Bameio said he knew there were going to be changes. Great point.
What was it? The man with the white hairs, if he knows anything about it, he’s going to make a lot of changes. Yeah. The man with the silver hairs, if he knows anything, he knows he’s going to make some changes. And here we are with a kind of lukewarm pursuit of Kevin Durant and that’s it. So,
and then basically pulling out of Kevin Durant, basically being like, you know what, this isn’t the move for us. If they wanted him, they could have gotten him.
The Heat are playing with fire. And I I know that sounds like a pun here, but it’s not. They’re really kind of pushing things in a direction that is a little dangerous because you’re at the risk of alienating a fan base that has grown apathetic about this team.
Yep.
Because following a championship run, an unexpected one in 2023, it’s been met with nothing but mediocrity for two straight seasons, the loss of their star player, potentially viewed as driven out of town even by the same front office. And we see it. We see the fans kind of disinterested.
Every time you and I see somebody that recognizes us from the show in person, what’s the first thing they ask you? Are the Heat going to do anything?
Yeah.
Right.
Yep. Yep.
It is uh
this se this off season so far can’t be called a failure because we’re so early in
not over.
It’s not over,
but it’s headed in that direction if nothing changes. And that’s I think the frustrating part for Heat fans is that they just don’t really know where this thing is going. Um we’re going to take a break here. We’re gonna talk about what’s left for Miami. What’s left in terms of potential free agents that they could add with this 15th roster spot. What’s going on with Duncan Robinson? What’s going on with Jonathan Kaminga? Is there a trade out there? Then we’re going to touch on the latest news surrounding Giannis’ future in Milwaukee. We’ll do that all next here on Lockdown Heat. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Summer sports are in full swing and whether you’re all about baseball under the lights or golf out in the green or high stakes soccer action, FanDuel is the best way to make every game even more exciting. You’re already following the action. Why not make it a little bit more thrilling? With FanDuel, you can get in on the game while your friends are getting sunburned over at the beach. Believe me, FanDuel makes it so easy to track your favorite matchups, and the app keeps it fresh with new daily promotions and fun ways to bet. It’s easy to use. It’s fast to pay out. And it makes even regular season games feel like mustwatch events. Whether you’re watching a same or placing a sing game parlay or watching a bet ride into the ninth inning, FanDuel makes it feel like you’re part of the action. If you’re new to FanDuel, this is the time to get involved. New customers can bet just $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your first bet wins. So, open the FanDuel app today or visit fanuel.com and get started. We’ll be right back. [Music] Thanks for making Locked on Heat your first listen every day. Best way to support the show, hit that subscribe button on YouTube, follow us on your favorite podcast app. So, it’s day two of free agency. What is left for the Heat to do? I want to talk about a couple of available free agents here in a second. Um, but the Heat, quick recap of where we are in terms of the roster. 14 players under contract. Duncan Robinson elected to use his early termination option and enter free agency as an unrestricted free agent. I want to start here, David, because something’s going on here.
Yeah. Duncan Robinson doesn’t just give up $10 million in guaranteed money. That doesn’t make sense without knowing that he’s going to make that up
some way or somehow. Something’s going on here. And the fact that they didn’t just resign Duncan Robinson right away leads me to believe that something maybe creative is happening here because Duncan Robinson for those who don’t know like he had 10 million had he just
let Sunday pass without electing his early termination option which was that Sunday was the deadline for that. $10 million of his was guaranteed of the 10 of the $20 million salary that he’s owed for next season.
He could have just said, “I’m taking my $10 million. Thank you. and if you don’t want me on the roster, if you want to clear this roster spot, wave me. And they could have done that and Miami could have saved $10 million. Instead, they saved $20 million because Duncan Robinson basically decides to opt out. That’s essentially what this is. And that to me is fascinating. And like I said, Duncan does not do this if he doesn’t know for sure that he’s got $10 million lined up, that he’s not going to be losing 10 mil right away.
Right. And I think what happened here is that Miami got with Duncan Robinson and his representation and explained what their scenario and what their plan is. Either we’re going to bring you back on a deal that you recoup the $10 million and maybe it’s a let’s call it three for 30, three for 33, something like that.
Yeah.
And you get the long-term security along with it and you get to stay in Miami,
right?
Or we’re going to make sure that you get that money somewhere else. And here are the options that we’re thinking. You don’t just give no human being gives up $10 million for the good of the franchise that you’re leaving, right? It doesn’t make any sense. So, something to me is going on here. So, I I view the the resigning the more likely path there, although I guess he could be included. Could you be part of a dual kind of trade? Could he be on the way out to Golden State? So, I I mean, that is a possibility, but they already have Buddy Heal under contract, too. So I I don’t Yeah, maybe you’re right. I mean, I’m thinking I’m thinking of with the Kaminga deal being the most likely scenario,
but if there’s another opportunity there for to add another player, that’s fine,
but it would have to be, you know, Duncan would have to be resigned for at the very least $10 million per year. And that’s it seems less likely with other teams willing to accept that kind of a size contract.
Well, unless that that’s that’s the size that it has to be in order to facilitate that signing.
Sure. I get that much. I get that much. It’s just I don’t know. I don’t know what if you had to bet right now on the likelihood of it being him being shipped out somewhere else or him being brought back to the team, where do you stand? Because I think it’s the latter. I think he’s brought back. I think he’s resigned for a longerterm deal because they’re just comfortable with him being in Miami.
I think that that is on the table, but if that was the plan all along, they would have done it already. Especially if you look at the list of available free agents, he’s among the best left. There’s not a it’s not a it’s not an awesome free agent market now that the top guys have signed for for the most part. I get Miles Turner is still out there but Miami can’t get him. So
yeah. Um so if that was the plan, I feel like it would have happened already. That’s why I think that they’re working on something. Um but I do think that it’s po if that falls through then yeah, we’ll just bring Duncan Robinson back on a on a a deal that kind of behooves both parties here. But I don’t know. it. Detroit is still lingering as a potential team to go get Duncan Robinson even after Levert Jake Fischer reporting that they’re still in interested in Duncan Robinson. They could do it. They can also
if if they don’t the cap space, that’s where the signing trade part of this all comes in.
Miami could do basically what they got from Max Truce, right? They got a second round pick from Cleveland to help facilitate a signing trade. That tends to be what happens here with signing trades. Um, you know, it’s better than nothing. and and Duncan Robinson has to at least have some sort of idea of there’s a team out there willing to give me at least $10 million this coming season. So, I don’t know. I I don’t know what’s going on there, but I just wanted to point that out. In terms of the other things that could be out there, we’ve talked about Jonathan Kaminga, still a restricted free agent. Um there was reporting around Golden State that they could just say, you know what, there’s no there’s nothing that we’re really getting back in return for Kaminga that’s worth it for us. Let’s just go ahead and bring him back and see if we can on a decent salary. Let’s negotiate a contract with Kaminga. See if we can bring him back. Maybe trade him by February. Let’s see, you know, see what the market see how the market changes by February by the deadline. Um Quinton Grimes, still a restricted free agent. I think he fits with a lot of teams. I think he’d be very interesting for Miami. I’m not sure if they could figure that part of it out. Um, but it’s at least interesting.
Other free agents, I’m just going to name them, David. Just, you know, tends to be what the audience likes. Russell Westbrook, Gershon Yabiselli, Tim Hardaway Jr., Amamir Coffee, Preser Aua, Chris Buchet, Trey Man could be a little interesting after Charlotte ressigned or or traded for Colin Ston. Ben Simmons, that’s a big name, Delano Banton, Cody Martin, uh, Caleb Martin’s brother who was waved by Phoenix.
Yeah,
those are some of the free agent options. DeAndre
those names standing out. DeAndre Aiden. You didn’t mention him. Okay. Yeah, he’s technically a free agent. I did not mention him.
You don’t think he’s an option?
I would hope not. Why?
Cuz I like that possibility. that that that one seems like given his Bohe Bahamian roots I think the the idea of bringing back a young talented player like that’s the the ideal kind of uh project that Miami has during Pat’s tenure
a backup center project you’re going to deal with this DeAndre
I don’t think he’s that much of a headache right I don’t I don’t I look I I’ve never covered him to I know
it just it feels like that big of a headache
two teams have gotten sick of Portland just paid him $25 million to go away. I don’t know why you would do that for anything that’s not a headache. Frankly, I’m just I’m judging the actions.
Two teams have said, “No, don’t want it.” Phoenix says, “We’d rather have Yousef Nerkage.” Thank you very much. Yeah, I I mean, I get it. And the problem also also I mean
it it for your backup center it’s like
yeah I think it’s an area it’s an area of need and I think it gives you a little different onetwo punch for a team that’s kind of lacking size. I think you could and and look this is a team that bets on itself all the time and they know what they offer and what they provide. It could be a it could be Chris Anderson or it could be Mo freaking harkas. So
Hassan Whitide could It could be Hassan Whiteside.
The thing is, did they learn? What did they take away from the Hassan Whiteside experience that we got a year and a half of good basketball from him and then we paid him a money that we couldn’t get off of,
but we feel good about the year and a half or
hey, we get the guy got this bag that was probably a mistake. Yeah, I think that I I think that’s the the better option there. I think they could use him for a one-on-one prove it deal. He plays his his butt off this year for Miami.
I think he’s the Lakers. Starting job with the Lakers, plays in LA, LeBron James.
You see that to me, I get that. I could see why that would be appealing, but he’s not going to fit in there. is not going to fit in there because LeBron runs a very tight ship and their their pursuit of a title. That’s the main focus for Miami with not as much pressure because quite frankly they’re not really going anywhere. they have the t the opportunity to give him an opportunity to kind of grow and kind of continue to develop his game and to prove that he can play for a a proven track record, a team with a proven track record of of this kind of uh you know exercise. But I don’t know. Uh
you’re in on Aiden. Um I would rather frankly bring back Duncan Robinson than sign Drayton. I’m not interested in it. I’m not interested in it.
Cody Martin seems like a done deal also and I don’t deal. Maybe I’m wrong there.
Are you reporting that?
No, I’m not reporting that. I just it just I mean come on like the the connection with his brother and I think the fact that he loves spending time in South Florida already. It just feels like
it would be the most cruel version of running it back. It’s like we’re not running it back. Okay. You just got the twin brother.
Got a different twin. The better twin. Let’s be honest. Like I mean Caleb wound up developing here in Miami, but Cody was always they waved Caleb for a reason. They they even Charlotte thought Cody was the better twin. So you know what? That’s that’s the way we’re going to sell it next year for the defense.
The other option, so of all those teams of all those players that I named, I would actually if they could figure out a Quinton Grimes scenario, that would be very interesting to me. That’s a that’s a highlevel rotation player.
Um
Mitchell Mitchell and Quinton Grimes. I mean, that’s going to be it’s gonna annoy the hell of a lot of teams out there.
Yep. Um worth mentioning also Demard Rosen still out there. Sacramento Kings maybe the biggest losers of the offseason so far. or they were talking a big game and haven’t have done nothing. Um, feels like something’s got to shake Luke’s loose. Malik Monk, Darn Rozan, I just names I thought we we’ve talked about before, still have not gotten a resolution on what’s going on in Sacramento, but things might be changing in Milwaukee. Speaking about losers in free agency, it’s not been kind to the Milwaukee Bucks. We’ll talk about what’s next for Milwaukee, Giannis, and how the Heat factor in after this. All right, back here with Locked on Heat. Let’s talk about Giannis. Um, if there’s a loser in free agency so far, I think it might be the Bucks. They lose Brook Lopez to the Clippers. Brook Lopez says, “Thanks for everything. I’m going to go be a backup in LA. I’m going to be very close to Disneyland and all the mascots and things like that.”
That’s it right there. That’s it. Former Laker back to Disneyland. Robin’s already hanging out there. I mean, it’s just perfect. Uh the Lakers were reportedly nearing a deal with Brook Lopez and then Shams tweets the breaking news and it’s Brook Lopez signs with Los Angeles Clippers and that was like whoa. Okay, that was weird. That’s why I think that they’re deciding to I think they signal to Brook Lopez we’re probably going to go the DeAndre Aton route. Although I’m still interested to see what happens with Miles Turner here. I don’t think him just until he signs with Indiana. As we’ve learned in the NBA, nothing’s guaranteed until it’s actually happening. So, we’ll see what happens with the Lakers, but Brook Lopez leaves Milwaukee. Milwaukee resigns Gary Trent Jr., they resign Kevin Border Jr., they bring back Bobby Portoris. And Giannis right now has to be looking at this roster. You know, Damen Lillard, Achilles injury, he’s not going to be playing next year for them. They’re shopping Pat Conetan, which it’s like, okay, good luck. You know, are you going to improve the team by trading Pat Coneton? Maybe they could still move Kyle Kosma, but it feels like that’s everybody, the league is pretty much told on told the Kyle Kosma what they think of him. Um, I don’t know. I don’t know what you’re doing with Milwaukee and it’s why I think they might be the biggest loser in free agency because now they’re they’re awful free agency so far. You know, if you’re Giannis, you’re he’s overseas right now. What does he do when he meets with the team when he gets back? he’s going to walk into a facility that he won a championship with Brook Lopez, Chris Middleton, and Drew Holiday. Those guys aren’t there anymore. Mike Boenholder isn’t there anymore. There’s reports from several outlets about now uh from the Athletic ESPN about teams monitoring the situation in Milwaukee and that teams might be preparing to make a run at Giannis. And it might be the reason why teams like Miami, Golden State, San Antonio, even though the Spurs, um, they signed somebody. I forget who they signed, but they signed somebody. But for the most part, these teams have been really quiet in free agency or in San Antonio’s case, not really moving off of their best assets. There’s reports that these teams might be preparing to make a run at Giannis and they’re waiting for that shoe to drop. And that to me is interesting and it’s worth monitoring, David.
Sure. Um, worth monitoring. Yeah, certainly. It just seems like such a major domino. And again, that’s just typically not how this period has entered because this flurry of activity never happens. If and look, this isn’t just even about having inside information. The league knows when there’s there doesn’t even have to be smoke. There’s just even the rumblings of of spark that’s beginning to form somewhere and the rest of the league just goes on full pause because that’s just the way it operates. It happened in 2014. We didn’t know what the hell was going on until LeBron kind of let everybody know this is what’s going to happen. Uh it happened with Kevin Durant when he left to go on state too. There always has to be a major domino. It has to be the first to fall and that hasn’t happened yet. And so I don’t know. I I I’d like to believe that Giannis is on the table and an option. Um not just for Miami, but just in general, like if a move is going to be made for for a player of that caliber, it feels like that should have already happened by now because then everybody says, “Oh, wait a minute. That changes why I would want to either sign here or sign somewhere else or maybe I might consider signing with with whatever team.” Like Houston seems to be the big winner for agency. Why? Because they got their work done early. They added Kevin Durant so everybody knows okay this is a team that’s kind of all in that not kind of they’re they’re fully in on the championship pursuit and that’s why Dorian Finny Smith is now a rocket. So
I don’t know I don’t see it. I’d like to believe that Giannis is on the table and if so maybe Miami can get involved and I think I I I think you’d have to include Bio in a deal for that. Um, I really do and I don’t know how likely that is, but
right. I mean, we we got some reporting that they were interested in Andrew Wiggins. Now, I don’t know that that was connected to Giannis whatsoever. I would I would assume no, right? They’re probably not being like, “Yeah, we really want Andrew Wiggins. We’re going to start making calls and, you know, whatever.” But maybe it was a Kyle Koosma for Wig. I don’t know what they were thinking, but we got some sort of reporting that they were interested in Andrew Wiggins and have been for a couple of seasons now. Tyler Herro, Milwaukee native, could just send Tyler Herro plus Wiggins to Milwaukee plus draft picks and whatever else it is for Giannis. I don’t know. I don’t know what the idea is there. I don’t know that the Heat have even gotten that far, right? You know, you just you hope that Giannis decides that he comes back from his trip and it’s like, wait, you did what and this is it? And and maybe he gets traded here and then you just try to get into the sweep stakes. But I look at a team like Atlanta who has quietly added two future Milwaukee picks with their draft day deal with New Orleans and then and a separate deal before they’ve quiet or it was actually the the Dejonte Murray Dyson Daniels. So two trades with New Orleans. They ended up getting two of those future Milwaukee picks that Milwaukee owed New Orleans still from the Drew Holiday trade. And Drew Holiday is on his second team since moving on from Milwaukee. Now, Atlanta’s in pole position here to actually go get Giannis, which would frustrate Heat fans even more that Giannis is getting traded and not to Miami, but to a South Eastern Conference rival, Southeast Division rival. So, I don’t know what’s going on here. I don’t know what happens with Giannis, but um it is something worth monitoring there. Uh but to your point, David, it can’t that can’t be the plan. If you want to if you want to keep your powder dry and try to chase Giannis, okay, that I understand. Atlanta’s doing it while making moves. That’s how you do it. Atlanta’s doing it while adding Nail Alexander Walker, Luke Canard, Kristoff Sporzing, adding two New Orleans picks. You want to get Giannis? That’s what that looks like. That’s what wanting Giannis looks like. Not. Uh, yeah, I guess we’ll just trade the stuff we have cuz everybody seems to have want everybody seems to want that all the time. Nobody wants any of your stuff for Kevin Durant, for Damian Lillard, for Donovan Mitchell. Nobody’s ever wanted any of your stuff. Even if you include Bam. Then it’s like, okay, cool. Now we have Giannis instead of Bam. Are we a better team? Maybe a little bit. How do we fill the roster out, though? I mean, they are, but how do we fill the roster at that point? So, there’s a lot of issues with Miami and they need to be addressing those issues while also doing it strategically where you’re either increasing what you have. Like I said, this is why you let your free agents go and then go use your mid-level exception on a real free agent that maybe a team like Milwaukee would like to have on their roster,
right? Atlanta just signed to kill Alexander Walker. You don’t think Milwaukee would ask for him in a Giannis trade? Of course they would. So again, if you’re frustrated as a Heat fan, I totally get it. I also cannot believe that this could possibly be the plan. I just I won’t believe running it back with Jimmy Butler and doing it over the last couple years is a little bit different, right? And the Damen Lillard summer was very different because they legitimately thought they were going to get Damen Lillard and then they didn’t and they ran out of time. They have a whole off seasonason in front of them and and you’ve got Pat Riley and Bam to your point, David, saying, “Yep, changes are coming. I don’t know what it looks like, but I don’t think change for this I don’t think change for the sake of change is change for the sake of change.” I think change for the sake of change when you stink is a positive. So, we’ll we’ll see what they do. Go ahead. No, I was just going to say I I wonder, you know, if they were willing to run it back when they were much closer to whatever it is that they viewed their ceiling as internally as a, you know, potentially outsider contender,
right?
I think that’s the real view there. Now that they’re no longer in that same position, then they’re far lower. Obviously, maybe running it back seems even more possible or more acceptable because it’s like, well, we’re not really going to do anything anyway. And that kind of fits in line with the whole changes. We’re not going to make changes for changes sake. It it’s just it seems like the plan to get out of that though. It’s just that’s that’s the thing. I can’t This is the team that has always been so active and making changes and they always
if you decided that it’s hopeless then tank trade all trade everybody if you if the heat have gotten to the point that you just say said David it’s like well we’re this and there’s just we can’t really get better okay then get a whole lot worse because you got your pick in 2026 you can’t do this again
no you’re right I uh I flip I flipped around over the course of recording of this as pessimistic as I was at the start of it I have to believe now that they’re working on something and I took 30 minutes to get here.
I hope I hope all our listeners took the same journey as you.
Yeah, it’s what a ride, huh? What a wild ride because 30 minutes in there, I was like, I can’t I just This team has not done this ever. Running it back when you’re this close because you’ve got Jimmy and Bam and Tyler and you you’re hoping we stay healthy. We, you know, we count on Terry Rosier. For better, for worse, those are the decisions you’ve made and it didn’t work out the way you’d like. It was still a successful run during Jimmy’s tenure. And I don’t think anybody would argue that. Even if you didn’t win a championship, it was still a very successful run. Yet being here now cannot be acceptable for this to Pat Riley this front office. He is not a person just like, “Yeah, I’m okay with mediocrity. In fact, I’m okay with being not that good.” So, he has to have something up his sleeve. This front office just doesn’t operate like this. I don’t know what the move is. I wish I could tell our listeners that I have an inkling as to what’s taking place here. I don’t know if it’s just Kaminga. It almost feels quite honestly like it it would have to be a wide sweeping change and if that’s the case, everybody’s on the table as they should because this is a team that desperately needs some kind of an overhaul.
Well, hopefully we find out soon. For now, thanks for making Locked on Heat your first listen today. For your second listen, find the Locked on NBA podcast where there is no offseason. Doug, Matt, and Hayes keep you up to date on contract negotiations, rumors, and everything you need to be the most informed NBA fan. Find Locked on NBA on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day.

HEAT’s Free Agency Silence Sparks Concern. Is Miami’s Front Office Playing with Fire?

Wes Goldberg and David Ramil break down the MIAMI HEAT’s puzzling inactivity during the NBA free agency period. The hosts analyze potential targets while questioning the team’s strategy after last season’s disappointing 37-45 record. They explore Duncan Robinson’s surprising contract decision and its implications for the HEAT’s roster construction. The conversation shifts to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the MILWAUKEE BUCKS and how it could impact Miami’s long-term plans.

Tune in for an in-depth analysis of the HEAT’s offseason moves and the potential consequences for their upcoming season.

0:00 Intro: Heat’s quiet free agency frustrates fans
5:32 No clear plan from Heat front office
12:19 Duncan Robinson’s contract situation analyzed
18:15 Potential free agent targets for Miami
23:00 Giannis’ future with Bucks uncertain

Become a Locked On Heat Insider on Subtext! https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonheat

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-heat/

Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/nba

📲 Follow Locked On Heat on Twitter
Locked On Heat https://twitter.com/LockedOnHeat
David Ramil https://twitter.com/dramil13
Wes Goldberg https://twitter.com/wcgoldberg

📸 Follow Locked On Heat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedonheat/

📺 Follow Locked On NBA: https://linktr.ee/lockedonnba

📢 Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! | Offers from our sponsors: lockedonpodcasts.com/offers

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k
Did you know your Fire TV is also an Xbox? Turn any TV into your gaming and entertainment hub with Fire TV Stick 4K devices — no console required. Head to Amazon.com/firetvlockedon to get started. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription and compatible controller required.

OLIPOP
Get a free can of OLIPOP! Just buy any two cans in store and they’ll reimburse you for one. Head to drinkolipop.com/LOCKEDONNBA to claim your free can and find OLIPOP near you.

CarGurus
Buy or sell your next car today with CarGurus at CarGurus.com to make sure your big deal is the best deal.

WayFair
Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

#miamiheat #heat #nba #freeagency