The Miami Heat have already made a major splash this summer, but the roster might not be done changing yet. After a disappointing finish to the 2025-26 season, Miami has put itself in position to rebound with the additions of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson, and several other notable signings. Even so, with the East looking loaded, there’s a case to be made that the Heat could still use more help.
Most of the chatter around Miami has centered on backcourt upgrades, especially behind Davion Mitchell. But one possibility floating around is a familiar name: Kevin Love.
Sports Illustrated’s Tom Dierberger predicted a reunion between Love and the Heat, pointing to the veteran’s limited role and what he can still offer off the floor. He wrote:
“His playing time was limited and his production even more so-not at all a surprise for a 38-year-old forward with this many miles on his legs. Love seems like a great hang (especially on the golf course), but his days of being an effective NBA player are well in the rearview mirror.”
He also noted that Love’s approach in Utah still gives him some value around a team:
“Of course, his complete willingness to embrace being an end-of-bench locker room voice in Utah means he can still offer something of value to interested teams. Chemistry is a key component of professional sports.
Nevertheless, Love should wind up on a roster for next season if he wants. Every team can use a good locker room guy.
Prediction: signs with the Heat for veteran minimum.”
And Dierberger added that Love could still fit in a specific role on a team with big names and younger players:
“The veteran could be valuable on a team with a mix of established stars and younger players. In Miami, he could bring a wealth of experience while also helping challenge players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo in practice. More than anything, Love’s voice and championship experience are qualities that teams can benefit from having around.”
There’s no question Love’s best days as an on-court piece are behind him. Still, if Miami wanted a minimum-salary addition with familiarity, leadership, and championship experience, he at least makes sense on paper.
The bigger question is whether the Heat actually need him.
Love still posted 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season while shooting 39.7% from the field and 37.3% from three. That kind of production can still matter for a team looking for rebounding and spacing. Miami, after all, could use more perimeter shooting.
But roster fit is another story. Right now, the Heat’s more obvious need is a backup point guard.
Davion Mitchell is expected to take on a bigger role, yet the second unit still lacks a dependable playmaker. If that hole isn’t addressed, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo may end up carrying extra minutes, which would work against Miami’s championship hopes over time.
There’s also the question of whether Love wants to return to Miami at all. Reports suggest his preference is to go back to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team he played for before. And from Miami’s side, keeping the 15th roster spot open could be the smarter move if the team wants flexibility for later in the season.
So while a Love reunion isn’t hard to imagine, it’s far from a lock. The Heat may keep looking for a different kind of help - and they could wait until later in the year to make that move.
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Heat Still Have One Big Bench Decision Left Around Davion Mitchell
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Gabe Vincent has come up as a familiar name, and Cam Payne is also viewed as a possible option for adding experience and leadership in reserve minutes. Even with those possibilities in play, Miami is still taking its time on the decision, and the way it fills that spot should tell plenty about how the team wants to stabilize its guard rotation for the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]