RADIO
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Play in Saturday's Preseason Game
Miami Heat superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is expected to make his preseason debut on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. Antetokounmpo dealt with nagging knee issues during the 2025-26 season but has been a full go throughout Miami's training camp and is set to play in the Heat's opening preseason action. Antetokounmpo was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Heat in early July after frustrations grew between the organization and him. In his career, Antetokounmpo has averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in just under 33 minutes per game. With Bam Adebayo as the only legitimate offensive threat on this Miami roster, Antetokounmpo is set to be one of the top players in the NBA from a fantasy perspective.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Dru Smith Out a Couple of Weeks with Calf Strain
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (calf) will miss a couple of weeks with a strained right calf, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The 28-year-old called the timing "terrible" and "very frustrating" after entering camp as the projected backup behind Davion Mitchell. Smith averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 16.3 minutes across 70 games last season. Ryan Conwell, Tre Donaldson, and Pelle Larsson should get more ball-handling opportunities while he is sidelined. Smith's steals can help when he's on the floor, but his limited offensive role keeps his fantasy ceiling fairly modest.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Dennis Smith Jr. Agrees to Exhibit 10 Deal with Heat
Guard Dennis Smith Jr. has agreed to join the Miami Heat, though he won't be with the team when training camp opens, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The former No. 9 overall pick is expected to eventually sign an Exhibit 10 deal, with a return to the G-League's Sioux Falls Skyforce likely. Smith averaged 8.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 26.1 minutes across 21 games with Sioux Falls last season while struggling with his shot. Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith are already ahead of him at point guard, with rookie Tre Donaldson on a two-way deal. Another Skyforce stint appears to be the likely outcome, leaving Smith without fantasy appeal for now.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Ian Schieffelin Joins Heat on Exhibit 10 Deal
The Miami Heat have signed undrafted forward Ian Schieffelin to an Exhibit 10 contract, bringing their roster to 20 players, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel. The former Clemson standout spent four seasons playing basketball before switching to tight end for the Tigers last season, appearing in eight games. Schieffelin averaged 12.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his final basketball season, then posted 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds across five Summer League games with Miami. With all three two-way spots already filled and a deep frontcourt led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Schieffelin faces long odds of seeing NBA minutes and carries no immediate fantasy appeal.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Klay Thompson Emerges as Front-Runner to Start for Miami
Miami Heat guard/forward Klay Thompson is the clear front-runner to open the season at shooting guard, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, though Erik Spoelstra is expected to hold a preseason competition. The 36-year-old made 202 threes at a 38.3 percent clip on 7.6 attempts per game with Dallas last season despite averaging just 11.7 points. His shooting gives Miami needed spacing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, but his fantasy appeal remains fairly narrow at this stage of his career. If Thompson wins the job, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Pelle Larsson would likely come off the bench, while Thompson would mainly help fantasy managers in the three-point category with limited contributions elsewhere.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Heat Claim Bez Mbeng Off Waivers for Training Camp
The Miami Heat have claimed guard Bez Mbeng off waivers from the Charlotte Hornets and intend to sign him to an Exhibit 10 contract for training camp, according to the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang. Mbeng spent much of last season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce before earning a late-season call-up with Utah, where he averaged 8.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals in 15 games. He also posted a 27-point triple-double against Memphis in April. Mbeng's defensive activity is intriguing, but his 19.4 percent shooting from three remains a concern. With Miami's camp roster at 19 players, another stint in Sioux Falls looks like the most realistic path.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Pelle Larsson Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Heat
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson has agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension with a mutual option for 2030-31, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The deal keeps the 25-year-old out of restricted free agency next summer after he averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes across 70 games, including 54 starts. Larsson shot an efficient 49.6 percent from the field but just 32.3 percent from three. Miami added Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to provide more shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, creating more competition for perimeter minutes. Larsson's playmaking and efficiency should keep him involved, but a crowded rotation could limit another jump in fantasy value.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Giannis Antetokounmpo Enters Miami with Huge Expectations
Miami Heat forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf, knee) enters his first season in Miami with immediate pressure, as Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel used Sunday's Ask Ira column to weigh whether his Heat debut can top Shaquille O'Neal's 2004-05 arrival. The framing says plenty about Miami's expectations. Antetokounmpo should operate as the offensive hub next to Bam Adebayo, with Erik Spoelstra able to build inside-out looks around that frontcourt while Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Davion Mitchell help the spacing. The fantasy ceiling remains elite if the usage stays near career levels, but availability is the swing point after he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across a career-low 36 games last season. His decision to skip Greece's World Cup qualifying window for season prep helps, but the calf and knee history keeps some risk attached to the first-round profile.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Davion Mitchell Enters Camp with a Clear Path to Starter Minutes
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell is deserving of the starting point guard job, but Miami's depth behind him remains a question, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote in his latest mailbag. Dru Smith projects as the backup, while two-way rookie Tre Donaldson is the next internal option if injuries hit. That setup helps Mitchell's minutes outlook after he started all 70 of his appearances last season, averaging 9.3 points, 6.5 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.6 minutes while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three. He will not carry fantasy teams with scoring, but the assists, steals, and secure role keep him useful if Miami does not add another veteran guard.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Nick Richards Enters Camp in Prove-It Mode
Miami Heat center Nick Richards said the teams that passed on him in free agency were wrong, and he plans to prove it in Miami. "There's a lot of teams that passed up on me that I felt like they should have given me more consideration," Richards told Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday. The 28-year-old has spoken with Erik Spoelstra about bringing energy and physicality, but the path to minutes is tight behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, and Nikola Jovic. Richards started 51 games for Charlotte in 2023-24, averaging 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds, but he slipped to 14.6 minutes per game between Phoenix and Chicago last season. He needs a strong preseason to become more than emergency fantasy depth.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Pelle Larsson Scores 23 Points in Sweden's Qualifying Loss
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored 23 points in Sweden's 84-69 loss to France on Sunday in Group L of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, getting to the line 16 times and converting 13, Spotrac's Keith Smith reports. The 25-year-old could not match France's frontcourt efficiency, as Victor Wembanyama posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, while Maxime Raynaud added 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Larsson also dropped 31 points against Finland on Thursday, making the free-throw volume the best fantasy takeaway from his window. Miami's shooting guard minutes are more available after Tyler Herro went to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell signed with Chicago. Larsson started 54 games last season while averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are camp competitors, but Larsson has done enough to keep pressure on Miami's perimeter rotation.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Nikola Jovic Scores 21 Points as Serbia Routs Iceland
Miami Heat forward/center Nikola Jovic scored 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting in Serbia's 102-73 rout of Iceland on Friday in Group J of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. The 23-year-old added three rebounds, two assists, and a plus-28 while outscoring Nikola Jokic, who finished with six points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Serbia improved to 5-2 in Group J, but Jovic's bigger issue remains his NBA role. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 17.2 minutes across 47 games last season while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 26.9 percent from deep. Miami reshaped its frontcourt around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis, while Pelle Larsson is also pushing for perimeter minutes. Jovic needs a cleaner shooting camp before becoming more than a watch-list name.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Pelle Larsson Pours in 31 Points as Sweden Topples Finland
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson scored a game-high 31 points in Sweden's 86-81 win over Finland on Thursday in FIBA World Cup qualifying. The 25-year-old finished 9-for-17 from the field and 11-for-14 at the line while Sweden held Lauri Markkanen to 11 points on 2-for-13 shooting. Sweden has won four straight, and Larsson is averaging 27.0 points in qualifying. The outburst doesn't shift his fantasy value by itself, but the volume fits what Miami may need. Larsson started 54 of 70 games last season, posting 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 26.4 minutes. With Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis sent to Milwaukee in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade and Norman Powell gone in free agency, Larsson has a runway to a larger perimeter role behind Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
J'Vonne Hadley Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with Heat
The Miami Heat have signed undrafted forward J'Vonne Hadley to an Exhibit 10 contract, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. Hadley played for Miami's Summer League team after closing his college career at Louisville, where he averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from three-point range. He was quieter in Summer League, posting 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks across eight games. The camp deal gives Hadley a path to stay in Miami's system, but the NBA rotation is crowded with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Bobby Portis, Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson ahead of him. Sioux Falls is the realistic landing spot, leaving Hadley off fantasy radars.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Keshad Johnson Back in Miami on Two-Way Deal
The Miami Heat and forward Keshad Johnson have agreed to a two-way deal, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The move is a step down from the standard contract Johnson played on last season. The 2026 Slam Dunk Contest winner appeared in 32 games for Miami, averaging 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes. His best work came with Sioux Falls, where he posted 17.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.9 blocks across eight G-League games. The path to minutes is still rough, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, Bobby Portis, Nikola Jovic, and Klay Thompson all ahead of him in the forward mix. Two-way status caps Johnson's availability and keeps him off playoff rosters unless he is converted, leaving him nowhere near fantasy draft boards.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
