The Miami Heat are being tied to a possible backcourt swing as the regular season nears, with NBA insider Jake Fischer reporting that the team rates Memphis Grizzlies guard Walter Clayton Jr. highly and could explore a move.
Clayton’s path has moved fast. The 23-year-old was a national champion with the Florida Gators and a consensus first-team All-American in 2025, which pushed him into last summer’s draft.
Utah took him at No. 18 in the first round, but his stint there didn’t produce strong splits over 45 games. He was later sent to Memphis in the blockbuster Jaren Jackson Jr. deal at the trade deadline.
Now, Clayton could be on the move again before the season even starts. The Grizzlies already moved on from D’Angelo Russell after bringing him in this offseason, and Clayton could be next as a cap casualty. That would be a surprise for a player drafted just last summer, but it’s the kind of opening Miami may be ready to watch closely.
The Heat’s need is clear enough. They need a backup guard behind Davion Mitchell, and there’s added urgency because of the recent Dru Smith injury.
Mitchell has given Miami a solid option since arriving at the 2025 trade deadline, but it remains to be seen whether he can be the starting point guard for a true contender. Mitchell is also in the final year of his contract.
Miami’s recent history in the backcourt has been uneven. The team made a major push for Kyle Lowry in 2021, only to see signs of decline show up later.
Then came Terry Rozier in early 2024, before his career was damaged by his gambling scandal, which kept him out of the entire 2025-26 season. The Heat may be looking for a younger, more workable piece, and Clayton fits that profile.
He’s not being framed as a savior, and that’s not the point. Clayton is still young, can score, and can facilitate. If Memphis doesn’t place a high value on him, Miami could see him as a worthwhile flyer and a chance to add another option to the rotation.
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What makes the situation more interesting is what comes with the decision. If Richards sticks on the opening-night roster, his contract would become guaranteed for the 2026-27 season, adding another layer to what the front office has to weigh before the season begins. Miami still has a choice to make, but Richards has done enough lately to make it a tougher one than it looked a couple of weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]