The New York Knicks got to John Konchar first.
Just before training camp gets underway, New York signed the veteran guard, leaving the Miami Heat to keep looking after they had been in contact with his camp about a possible invite. The idea in Miami was straightforward: bring Konchar in, let him and Myron Gardner battle for one roster spot, and keep the 15th slot open for flexibility if needed.
Barry Jackson reported that the Heat were considering that route and planned to circle back with a decision. As he put it: "According to a source, the Heat has spoken to Konchar’s camp about potentially competing with Myron Gardner for a roster spot; the Heat is expected to circle back this week with a decision about whether it will formally offer that opportunity."
Instead, Konchar took the cleaner path with the Knicks.
That leaves Miami still searching for a bit more insurance behind projected starting point guard Davion Mitchell. With Konchar gone, the Heat’s backcourt options look thinner, and the timing makes the need even more obvious as camp approaches.
One name keeps coming up if Miami decides it wants another veteran guard: Gabe Vincent.
He’s been connected to the Heat for months, and he checks a lot of boxes for a team still weighing its guard depth. Vincent knows the system, has chemistry with Bam Adebayo, and would have something to prove after a rough couple of seasons in Los Angeles.
Miami’s next move isn’t clear yet, but the Konchar decision may have pushed the conversation forward. If the Heat do add another veteran guard, Vincent remains the most familiar option on the board.
In Other News...
Heat Still Face One Roster Decision That Could Matter Early
The Heat have spent the early part of camp sorting out a backcourt picture that still looks unsettled around the margins. Davion Mitchell, Dru Smith and Tre Donaldson are part of the point guard mix, but Miami is also weighing whether it needs one more experienced hand, especially if the goal is to balance defense, ball handling and a little more reliability behind the starters.
One option under consideration is a reunion with former All-Star Victor Oladipo, whose on-ball skill set still carries obvious appeal even with the injury concerns that have followed him in recent years. Miami has reached the minimum roster count already, but leaving a spot open remains on the table if the front office wants flexibility for a trade or buyout target once the season gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Roster Spot Suddenly Puts Myron Gardner Under Real Pressure
The Heats roster picture is getting tighter, and Myron Gardner is one of the players who could feel it first. Miamis reported interest in free agent guard-forward John Konchar adds another layer to a spot that already looked unsettled, especially with Gardner working on a partially guaranteed contract and trying to hold onto a place in a system he already knows.
Konchar brings NBA experience, but his injury history is part of the calculation, which leaves Miami weighing reliability against familiarity and upside. Gardner has the age edge and the comfort of being in-house, while Konchar would arrive with a different rsum and a more proven track record. A decision on the spot is expected soon, and Gardners situation now looks like one of the more interesting camp battles on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Bench Debate Is Heating Up Around One Key Award Race
The Heats offseason makeover has already created an interesting subplot on the bench, where Tim Hardaway Jr. and Pelle Larsson are both positioned to play meaningful roles as reserve options. Hardaway brings the kind of shooting that fits cleanly next to dominant scorers, while Larssons versatility gives Miami another useful piece in a rotation that should lean heavily on depth.
In a Sixth Man of the Year race, though, sharing the spotlight can be its own complication. Miami could wind up with two legitimate candidates from the same roster, which creates the possibility of vote splitting, even if both players are good enough to make a strong case on their own. For a team that just reshaped its outlook around Giannis Antetokounmpo, the bigger question may be whether the bench production is strong enough to matter, not just who gets the credit for it. [Read more 🡒]