The Miami Heat still have one roster spot hanging in the balance, and the guard market around it keeps shifting.
Ben Simmons was once part of the conversation, but that path ended when he signed with the Sacramento Kings. Miami, according to reporting, decided it could not count on Simmons to consistently deliver what the team needs.
As Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman put it, “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. 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."
Gabe Vincent has also surfaced as a possibility, though that reunion does not appear to be lining up either. Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer said, “I do think the former Heat guard Gabe Vincent has some fans in this building and some fans on that roster who would love for him to be back into the fold, right now it's looking like Miami is not a outcome for Gabe Vincent. But I do think Miami's roster isn't exactly done and the guard position will be something they look at moving forward,"
One name that has come up more recently is veteran point guard Cam Payne. Heavy.com's Sean Deveney reported that Miami has interest in him, writing, “The Heat have weighed the likes of veteran backups Gabe Vincent and Cam Payne, but would prefer to find someone with a better upside. They do need a placeholder for that spot, though,”
Payne has been around the league long enough to fit the journeyman label, with stops on seven NBA teams. He has also earned $38 million in his career, and his style is easy to see: nonstop energy, a motor that keeps humming, and a chance to bring some life to the second unit. He could also serve as a useful veteran presence for Davion Mitchell, who has made a big leap this offseason.
If Miami goes that direction, it would be adding an experienced guard who can provide energy, leadership, and a steady backup option behind Mitchell.
In Other News...
Giannis Just Sent Heat Fans A Powerful Message About Miami
Giannis Antetokounmpos move to South Florida is already giving Heat fans plenty to think about, and not just because of what he might bring on the court. After being traded to Miami, he bought a $13.5 million mansion in Pinecrest, a quiet enclave that has long appealed to current and former Heat players. The property checks every box for a modern star, with roughly 12,000 square feet, multiple bedrooms and the kind of amenities that come with a house built for comfort as much as status.
The purchase was made through a company tied to his New York lawyers, which only adds to the intrigue around how quickly he is planting roots in the area. Pinecrest has become something of a familiar address for the Heat fraternity, and this one already feels like a signal that Antetokounmpo is settling into life around the franchise. For Miami, it is another reminder that the teams biggest offseason story may be about more than basketball. [Read more 🡒]
Former Lakers Guard Suddenly Linked To A Familiar Landing Spot
Miami has already made a point of addressing its perimeter shooting this summer, bringing in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Klay Thompson on short-term deals to give the roster more spacing on the wing. Even after those moves, the Heat still have reason to keep an eye on the market, especially when a familiar name surfaces as a possible fit.
Gabe Vincent remains unsigned and looking for his next NBA opportunity, and the connection makes sense for a team that knows exactly what he can bring. A former Heat guard who later moved from the Lakers to the Hawks, Vincent already has a track record in Miami and the kind of shooting profile that could keep him in the conversation if the team decides it wants more backcourt depth. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Have A New Role Player Debate That Could Shape Everything
The Heats next rotation conversation is already taking shape, and it starts with the kind of role-player competition that can quietly matter as much as any headline move. Gabe Vincent recently pointed to Davion Mitchell as a potential offensive X-factor for Miami in the 2026-27 season, a nod to how the guard group could take on more responsibility if the team wants to keep its attack balanced and adaptable.
Pelle Larsson is part of that same discussion, with expectations that he could carve out a significant bench role after strong play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. None of it is locked in yet, of course, but the way Miamis depth is being framed suggests a real fight for minutes could shape how the rotation looks when the season starts to matter. [Read more 🡒]