What’s next for the Heat? Here’s a player-by-player breakdown entering the 2025 offseason
The Miami Heat enters an important offseason that could bring a lot of change to the roster in the wake of a disappointing season.
From Jimmy Butler’s ugly exit to a second straight early first-round playoff exit, it was a rough season for the Heat. Miami finished the regular season with a losing record at 37-45 for the first time since the 2018-19 season and just the sixth time in Pat Riley’s 30 seasons with the organization.
The Heat was swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, The Heat dropped Game 3 by 37 points and Game 4 by 55 points for its two most lopsided playoff losses in franchise history, contributing to a 122-point margin that made it the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history.
So, what’s next for the Heat this offseason? Here’s where things stand with the 18 players who ended the season on Miami’s roster:
BAM ADEBAYO, center and forward
Age: Turns 28 on July 18.
Contract status: Due $37.1 million next season, with his three-year maximum contract extension worth $165.3 million beginning in the 2026-27 season.
What to know for offseason: Remains a foundational piece for the Heat who’s entering his prime. With Adebayo under contract with the Heat through the 2028-29 season, he’s a big part of the organization’s long-term plan. But Adebayo is also the player on the Heat’s roster who other teams will covet the most in any trade discussions involving a superstar. Would the Heat ever consider trading Adebayo? Up to this point, the answer is no. Adebayo took (career-high 221 three-point attempts) and made (career-high 79 three-point makes) more three-pointers than ever this regular season and his offensive game still has room for growth, but he has already established himself as one of the NBA’s top defensive players.
KYLE ANDERSON, forward
Age: Turns 32 on Sept. 20.
Contract status: Due $9.2 million next season, with one additional season left on his contract that includes a non-guaranteed salary of $9.7 million for the 2026-27 season.
What to know for offseason: Arrived to the Heat through the Jimmy Butler trade in the middle of this season, proving to be a useful bench option with his combination of basketball IQ, playmaking ability and size (6-foot-9 and 230 pounds). But Anderson’s minutes also fluctuated depending on the matchup. Looking forward, Anderson will likely have the same up-and-down reserve role if he’s back with the Heat next season. But at $9.2 million, his salary could end up helping the Heat balance the math in an offseason trade.
ALEC BURKS, guard
Age: Turns 34 on July 20.
Contract status: Will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
What to know for offseason: Proved to be a helpful veteran option off the Heat’s bench who stayed ready even through inconsistent playing time this season. Burks’ biggest strengths are three-point shooting and reliability as a low-maintenance player who will seemingly accept any role, going from a bunch of regular-season DNP-CDs (did not play, coach’s decision) to playoff starter. While Burks will be a free agent this offseason, a Heat return at the minimum shouldn’t be ruled out.
JOSH CHRISTOPHER, guard
Age: Turns 24 on Dec. 8.
Contract status: Will be a free agent after spending last season on a two-way contract.
What to know for offseason: The Heat has until June 29 to extend a qualifying offer to Christopher to make him a restricted free agent. If there’s no qualifying offer, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent. Christopher played well in the G League, averaging 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals per game for the Heat’s developmental affiliate this season. But Christopher, a first-round pick in the 2021 NBA draft, was limited to just 14 NBA games with the Heat this season as part of his two-way deal. Did the Heat see enough from Christopher to bring him back into its development program next season? That’s a question the Heat will need to answer in the coming months.
TYLER HERRO, guard
Age: Turns 26 on Jan. 20.
Contract status: Due $31 million next season and $33 million in 2026-27 season. He becomes eligible for an extension on Oct. 1.
What to know for offseason: Turned in the best season of his NBA career this regular season, averaging career-highs in points (23.9 points per game) and assists (5.5 per game) while shooting a career-best 47.2 percent from the field. He was also selected for his first NBA All-Star Game this season. But in the wake of Jimmy Butler’s departure, Herro continued to learn the challenges that come with being a leading man. He totaled just 17 points on 23 field-goal attempts over the Heat’s final two losses in this year’s first-round playoff sweep. Herro has been part of trade rumors before. The question is whether more trade speculation involving Herro will begin this offseason or if the Heat intends to continue to build around a core of Bam Adebayo and Herro. An extension discussion between the Heat and Herro looms.
HAYWOOD HIGHSMITH, forward
Age: Turns 29 on Dec. 9.
Contract status: Due $5.6 million next season in the second and final year of his contract.
What to know for offseason: Has carved out a role for himself with the Heat as a three-and-D rotation player, shooting 38.2 percent on 3.1 three-point attempts per game and again providing quality on-ball defense this season. With a salary under $6 million, Highsmith is on a value contract. Whatever happens to the Heat’s roster this offseason, there’s always room for a player like Highsmith as a depth piece who can fill in as a starter when needed and also contribute off the bench.
JAIME JAQUEZ JR., wing
Age: Turns 25 on Feb. 18.
Contract status: Due $3.9 million next season in the third year of his rookie contract. The Heat has an Oct. 31 deadline to exercise a $5.9 million team option in Jaquez’s contract for the 2026-27 season.
What to know for offseason: Entered this season with high expectations after being named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team for his impressive work last season. But Jaquez’s sophomore NBA season was a disappointment, averaging fewer points (8.6 per game) while shooting a worse percentage from the field (46.1 percent) and three-point range (31.1 percent) than last regular season. By the end of this season, Jaquez fell out of the Heat’s rotation and didn’t play any meaningful minutes in the playoffs. If Jaquez is not traded and remains on the roster for next season, one of the Heat’s top priorities will be to get him back on track after a rough second NBA season.
KESHAD JOHNSON, forward
Age: Turns 24 on June 23.
Contract status: Due $2 million next season in the second and final year of his contract, but it’s a team option. The Heat has until June 29 to decide on Johnson’s team option.
What to know for offseason: This was a developmental season for Johnson. As an undrafted rookie, he impressed in the G League with averages of 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game with the Heat’s developmental affiliate this season. However, Johnson’s NBA playing time with the Heat this season was limited. But there’s a reason why the Heat promoted Johnson from a two-way contract to a two-year standard contract this past December. The Heat is intrigued by Johnson’s three-and-D skill set and wants to see what he can become in its development program.
NIKOLA JOVIC, forward
Age: Turns 22 on June 9.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract before becoming eligible to be a restricted free agent during the 2026 offseason. He becomes eligible for an extension on July 1.
What to know for offseason: Began this season as a starter, but the results weren’t great. But Jovic found a role off the bench, producing positive minutes as a reserve prior to missing the final 27 games of the regular season because of a broken right hand. Jovic still averaged career highs in points (10.7 per game), assists (2.8) and minutes (25.1) in his third NBA season. While the injury put a pause to the momentum Jovic created this season, he still flashed growth with his improved outside shooting and his ability to play as a connector on the offensive end at 6-foot-10. Could Jovic catch a team’s eye with his combination of skill and upside to help facilitate a Heat trade this offseason? Or will the Heat insist on keeping Jovic as a part of its young core?
PELLE LARSSON, guard
Age: Turns 25 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $2 million next season, with 50 percent of the salary already guaranteed and the full salary becoming guaranteed on the first day of the upcoming season (Oct. 20). There’s a $2.3 million team option in Larsson’s contract for the 2026-27 season.
What to know for offseason: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra labeled Larsson as an “elite role player” even before his rookie season began. While Larsson wasn’t always in the Heat’s rotation this season, he showed why Spoelstra put that tag on him when he did get playing time. Larsson’s hustle, pesky defense and cutting ability immediately stood out. One area that Larsson will need to continue to improve to get more consistent playing time is his three-point shooting. But at this price point, Larsson is a valuable player to have on the roster who helps add depth and still has the potential to get better.
KEVIN LOVE, center
Age: Turns 37 on Sept. 7.
Contract status: Due $4.2 million next season in the second and final year of his contract.
What to know for offseason: The thinking was that Love would again serve as the Heat’s backup center this season, but the veteran was moved out of the rotation in December and took on more of a mentorship role as an accomplished veteran. Love also missed chunks of this season because of personal reasons, as his father dealt with an illness and recently passed away. Love is set to return to the Heat next season and has essentially helped fill Udonis Haslem’s leadership role.
DAVION MITCHELL, guard
Age: Turns 27 on Sept. 5.
Contract status: Will become a restricted free agent if the Heat extends an $8.7 million qualifying offer by June 29. If there’s no qualifying offer, Mitchell will become an unrestricted free agent.
What to know for offseason: While this wasn’t necessarily the expectation, Mitchell may have been the most impactful player who the Heat added in the mid-season Jimmy Butler trade — at least to close out this season. Mitchell has shot 34.4 percent on threes for his NBA career, but he shot an ultra-efficient 44.7 percent on 3.1 three-point attempts per game in 30 regular-season appearances with the Heat following the trade. That hot shooting paired with Mitchell’s better-than-expected playmaking and usual elite on-ball defense made him an important part of Miami’s rotation. The Heat is expected to extend a qualifying offer to Michell to make him a restricted free agent this summer. The question is did Mitchell play so well that he priced himself out of a Heat return?
DUNCAN ROBINSON, forward
Age: Turns 32 on April 22.
Contract status: Due $19.9 million next season in the fifth and final year of his contract, with only $9.9 million of that salary guaranteed. Robinson has until June 29 to terminate the contract and enter free agency, as the contract will otherwise become fully guaranteed on July 8.
What to know for offseason: It was a season of mixed results for Robinson, who provided his usual punch to the Heat’s offense through his quality three-point shooting at times but also saw diminished minutes other times. Now, Robinson and the Heat have reached a crossroads with important decisions to make. Will Robinson terminate his contract to become a free agent? If Robinson doesn’t become a free agent, will the Heat guarantee his full salary for next season, trade him or keep him around? Whatever happens, Robinson has left his mark in Miami by establishing himself as the franchise’s all-time leader for the most career three-point makes by a Heat player.
TERRY ROZIER, guard
Age: Turns 32 on March 17.
Contract status: Due $26.6 million next season in the fourth and final year of his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the 2026 offseason.
What to know for offseason: Rozier was expected to be one of the Heat’s top offensive players this season. Instead, he turned in arguably the worst season of his NBA career and completely fell out of the Heat’s rotation toward the end of the season. Rozier averaged 10.6 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 29.5 percent shooting from three-point range in 64 appearances this regular season. That’s the fewest points he has averaged and the worst field-goal percentage he has recorded in a season since his fourth NBA season in 2018-19, with Rozier’s three-point percentage his worst for a season since his rookie year in 2015-16. While Rozier’s play this season left him having little trade value, he’s now on a sizeable expiring contract that some teams could see as a carrot in a deal.
DRU SMITH, guard
Age: Turns 28 on Dec. 30.
Contract status: Will be a free agent after spending last season on a two-way contract.
What to know for offseason: Even while on a two-way contract, Smith established himself as a full-time rotation player for the Heat early this season before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in December. Prior to the injury, Smith earned consistent playing time by serving as a reliable and solid offensive option while also turning into a standout point-of-attack perimeter defender. Smith is again eligible to sign a two-way contract with the Heat for next season since he still has fewer than four years of NBA experience under his belt.
ISAIAH STEVENS, guard
Age: Turns 25 on Nov. 1.
Contract status: Will be a free agent after spending last season on a two-way contract.
What to know for offseason: Stevens’ NBA playing time was limited to just three games with the Heat this season. Instead, the undrafted rookie spent most of his first NBA season in the G League, where he averaged 12.8 points, 9.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game for the Heat’s developmental affiliate. Stevens’ playmaking in the G League impressed, but the question is whether the Heat can see him being effective in the NBA. The answer to that question will determine whether Stevens is back with the Heat next season.
KEL’EL WARE, center
Age: Turns 22 on April 20.
Contract status: Due $4.4 million next season in the second year of his rookie contract. The Heat has an Oct. 31 deadline to exercise a $4.7 million team option in Ware’s contract for the 2026-27 season.
What to know for offseason: Began his rookie season out of the Heat’s rotation before earning minutes as the backup center and then eventually emerging as a starter next to Bam Adebayo as part of a double-big look. Ware’s size at 7-feet paired with his shot-blocking ability and potential to hit threes makes him the most intriguing developmental prospect on the Heat’s roster. Ware was already good enough to make an impact in his first NBA season, averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in 64 regular-season appearances. But he also struggled in pick-and-roll coverage at times and sometimes didn’t rebound as well as the Heat wanted. There’s definitely plenty of room left for Ware to grow, and that’s what excites the Heat.
ANDREW WIGGINS, forward
Age: Turns 31 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Due $28.2 million next season in the third year of his four-year contract. Wiggins then has a $30.2 million player option in his contract for the 2026-27 season. He becomes eligible for an extension on Oct. 1.
What to know for offseason: Flashed his two-way talent, just not enough after landing with the Heat through the midseason Jimmy Butler trade. Wiggins missed 15 of the 32 regular-season games he was available for with the Heat due to injury or illness and then averaged just 11.5 points per game on 16-of-43 (37.2 percent) shooting from the field in the Heat’s first-round playoff series. If Wiggins is back next season, the Heat will expect a lot more from a player who’s currently slotted to be the third-highest paid on the roster behind only Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. As it stands, Wiggins’ contract is one that could help facilitate an offseason trade.
