The Miami Heat have already swung big this summer, but former NBA champion Brendan Haywood thinks they still need one more move if they want to go all the way.
After missing the playoffs, Miami has pushed into aggressive mode and rebuilt its roster with an eye on the Eastern Conference race. The first headline move came when the Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are trading franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, three first-round picks (including No. 13 in Tuesday's NBA draft), one pick swap and one second-round pick, sources told ESPN. The Heat are sending to Milwaukee unprotected first-rounders in 2031 and 2033 along with No. 13, a pick swap in 2030 and a 2033 second-rounder, according to sources," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
Miami kept the momentum going by adding Klay Thompson after he cleared waivers following his release from the Dallas Mavericks.
“The Heat on Sunday could celebrate not only the addition of five-time All-Star guard Klay Thompson, but also the fact that the organization emerged from the transaction with more flexibility than some might have expected. Because Thompson agreed to a first year salary of $5.6 million, that left the Heat with the ability to fill both the 14th and 15th roster spots," Miami Herald's Barry Jackson wrote.
Even with those additions, Haywood believes the Heat still need another star-level closer to finish the job. On a recent discussion, he pointed to Kyrie Irving as the kind of player Miami would need late in games.
“I know Giannis don’t really want that jumper in the last 5 minutes…they need to figure out on bringing somebody in - we heard they were in on possibly Kyrie….when I look at Miami right now they might need to go find that closer…that’s why I brought up the name Kyrie, you talk about winning championship - you’re closer gotta be 1 of those ones,” Haywood said.
Irving could become available if the Dallas Mavericks get off to a slow start, and Miami would be expected to at least explore the possibility if that happens. Irving has made $347 million throughout his career, and Haywood’s point is simple: if the Heat want to turn this revamped roster into a Finals winner, they may need to go get him.
In Other News...
Giannis Viral Clip Has Heat Fans Debating What Really Happened
Giannis Antetokounmpo found himself at the center of a viral moment after a video from a Greek restaurant showed an awkward interaction with a fan over a request to move tables. The clip starts with Antetokounmpo appearing stern, then shifts once he learns they share a Greek background and invites the fan to sit with him, turning a tense exchange into something warmer and more personal.
For Heat fans, though, the bigger conversation has been whether the scene actually unfolded that way. The video has sparked plenty of skepticism about its authenticity, with viewers wondering whether the encounter was genuine or staged, and the uncertainty has only added to the chatter around a clip that was meant to capture a simple off-court moment. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Still Have One Decision Left After Their Summer Splash
After a summer that brought in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson, Miami still has one roster spot sitting open, and it has become the kind of small but meaningful decision that can shape how the rest of the season feels. The Heat have already done the heavy lifting on paper, but this final move is still a live piece of roster-building, whether they decide the cleanest path is to preserve flexibility or add one more body to the mix.
Victor Oladipo gives the decision a familiar face, while Ochai Agbaji and Blake Wesley point more toward younger options with different developmental timelines and possible roles. Miami does not appear rushed here, which is part of the point, since the last spot can be used as insurance, as a bet on upside, or simply left open until the team has a clearer read on what it needs most. [Read more 🡒]
Donovan Mitchell Just Validated What Heat Fans Believe About This Roster
Donovan Mitchells latest comments gave Heat fans a little extra fuel heading into the season. Appearing on the Joe and Jada show, Mitchell talked about Miami as a real Eastern Conference competitor and pointed to Klay Thompsons arrival as the kind of move that makes the roster more dangerous, especially for a team that already has multiple three-point threats around the floor.
Mitchell also made clear he is still a believer in Thompsons shot, even with the numbers down from last season, and pushed back on any idea that V.J. Edgecombe should be viewed as the better shooter. For Miami, the bigger takeaway is validation from one of the Easts top guards, with the regular-season matchups against the Cavaliers now carrying a little more edge and context for both sides. [Read more 🡒]