The Miami Heat had a chance to add Ben Simmons, but they reportedly decided the fit wasn’t right.
Simmons had interest in joining Miami before ultimately landing a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, yet the Heat passed despite their need for more point guard depth. The reasoning, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, came down to where Miami believes it is right now: in win-now mode, with less patience for uncertainty.
“At a certain point, a team in win-now mode has to draw a valuation line between players who can be developed/reclaimed and those needed to be able to contribute in the moment, without questions of whether they are healthy enough or still skilled enough.”
Winderman said Miami already has developmental pieces it can lean on, including Ryan Conwell, Myron Gardner, Tre Donaldson and even, still, Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson. In his view, bringing in Simmons would have meant passing on more established options.
“In the development bucket, the Heat have Ryan Conwell, Myron Gardner, Tre Donaldson and even, still, Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson. So adding an unknown quantity would have meant going without, say, a Nick Richards or Klay Thompson or Tim Hardaway Jr,” Winderman explained in his latest report.
That’s the crux of it for Miami: not whether Simmons once had star talent, but whether he can still be counted on to help immediately. Winderman framed Sacramento as the cleaner landing spot.
“The Kings make all the sense for Ben Simmons, and he makes all the sense for them. There is no pressure to produce in Sacramento, but rather to begin a potential climb back to relevance.”
“And if Ben can make it back to something close to the best of his healthy, contributing self, there will be more to consider down the road,” Winderman wrote.
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, last played in the NBA two years ago. In that season, he averaged 5.6 assists, 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 52.0% from the field, a far cry from his prime production.
Miami’s roster situation helps explain why the team could afford to be selective. The Heat currently have 14 players and about $2.5 million in salary cap space before hitting the first apron. Tre Donaldson, who is on a two-way contract, remains one of the players who could push for that final spot through his development.
The bigger issue for the Heat is not Davion Mitchell’s spot in the rotation. It’s what comes behind him. Winderman pointed directly to the lack of depth at the position.
“Because of depth. No one is questioning that Davion Mitchell has earned and is capable of holding a spot in the Heat’s rotation. The questions are whether there is enough depth alongside him at the position.”
“So is Dru Smith an effective enough backup? And does there have to be more than two-way player Tre Donaldson beyond those two, in case of injury?
Davion Mitchell is not the question at point guard. The question is what is alongside him and whether it is enough for a contender,” Winderman later clarified.
Beyond Donaldson, the only other point guard options listed for Miami are Ryan Conwell and Dru Smith, and the two combine for less than $4 million in salary. Mitchell, though, has given the Heat plenty to like. In 70 starts in 2025-26, he averaged 9.3 points, 6.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds while shooting 49.0% from the floor and 39.5% from three.
That leaves Miami weighing whether it has enough guard depth to carry the load if Mitchell has to sit. The comparison Winderman pointed to was less about a star name and more about roster construction, with the Heat looking for a backup piece who can steady the position the way Landry Shamet did for New York’s championship roster.
For now, Miami may simply stick with what it has. Initial reports indicate the Heat could continue with 14 players and preserve some roster flexibility ahead of a possible postseason run in 2027. Other potential final-spot targets mentioned include Victor Oladipo and Gabe Vincent, but the Heat appear willing to let the current group sort itself out for the time being.
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