RADIO
Nick Richards Lands in Miami
Free-agent center Nick Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Miami Heat, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. The move fills Miami's 14th standard roster spot after the team added Klay Thompson, giving the Heat another reserve big behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis. Richards split last season between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games while shooting 51.2 percent from the field. His workload is unlikely to grow much in Miami unless injuries open up backup-center minutes, leaving Richards off fantasy draft boards for now.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Simone Fontecchio Explains Why He Stayed with Heat
Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio re-signed on a reported one-year minimum deal this summer, and he said returning to Europe was never part of the plan. "We didn't even consider the idea of returning to Europe this summer," Fontecchio told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "When this opportunity in Miami came along, I just accepted it." The 30-year-old also valued keeping his family settled, describing Miami as the place where he feels "wanted and appreciated." Fontecchio averaged 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 37.5 percent from three across 70 games last season. His shooting should help space the floor around Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but a crowded wing rotation keeps him off fantasy radars unless injuries open steady minutes.
Source: Alessandro Luigi Maggi
Source: Alessandro Luigi Maggi
Klay Thompson Praised by Pat Riley After Heat Signing
Miami Heat guard/forward Klay Thompson drew strong praise from team president Pat Riley after signing with Miami following his Dallas Mavericks buyout. Riley called Thompson "one of the most iconic players to ever suit up in the NBA" and pointed to his value as an all-around player, not just a shooter. The 36-year-old five-time All-Star is coming off a reduced role in Dallas, where he averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.7 minutes across 69 games while shooting 38.3 percent from three. Thompson's fantasy value should still lean heavily on triples, and Miami's crowded rotation caps his counting-stat ceiling despite the cleaner spacing next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Klay Thompson Signs Two-Year Deal with Heat
According to Shams Charania, veteran guard Klay Thompson is finalizing a two-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Heat. It's a two-year deal, but the second year is a player option. Thompson must wait until he officially clears waivers following a buyout from the Dallas Mavericks. After two bad years in Dallas, it's unclear if Thompson is going to start on the Heat. This past season, Thompson averaged 11.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists across 21.7 minutes per game in 69 contests. His shooting percentages have taken a hit in recent years, but Thompson can still be a decent contributor, whether it's on the bench or in the starting five. Pelle Larsson will likely see a reduced role with Thompson now headed to South Beach.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Keshad Johnson Could Rejoin Heat
Free-agent forward Keshad Johnson has been part of talks about a possible return to the Miami Heat, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Johnson has continued working out with the team and could come back on either a standard contract or a two-way deal. The reigning Slam Dunk Contest champion averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes across 32 games last season, so even a reunion would carry little fantasy appeal. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Bobby Portis ahead of him in the frontcourt and wing mix, Johnson would need several injuries to sniff a usable role.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Nick Richards Emerges as Heat Frontcourt Target
Free-agent center Nick Richards has emerged as a candidate for the Miami Heat's 14th roster spot, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Miami wants to use the spot on a rotation big who can play either center or power forward, and the 6-foot-11 veteran has been working out at Kaseya Center in Heat gear. Richards is weighing multiple offers, and it's unclear whether another team has topped Miami's guaranteed money. Any fantasy value would be thin regardless of where he signs. Richards averaged 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds in 14.6 minutes across 48 games and six starts for Phoenix and Chicago last season. In Miami, he would sit behind Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis, leaving frontcourt injuries as his only real path to minutes.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Vin Baker Expected to Join Heat's Coaching Staff
The Miami Heat are expected to hire former NBA forward Vin Baker as an assistant on head coach Erik Spoelstra's staff, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson. Baker spent the past eight seasons as a Milwaukee Bucks assistant and has a close relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving Miami another trusted voice around its new franchise centerpiece. The four-time All-Star averaged 15.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists across 13 NBA seasons, but this move should not change Miami's fantasy outlook. Baker is not expected to replace anyone, so minutes and usage should still hinge on Spoelstra's rotation choices around Antetokounmpo and the returning core.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Klay Thompson Agrees To Buyout With Mavericks, To Sign With Heat
Veteran shooting guard Klay Thompson will soon join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Company in Miami after agreeing to a buyout with the Dallas Mavericks. ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the 36-year-old is expected to sign with the Heat once he clears waivers. Thompson averaged career-low marks across the board: minutes (21.7), shot attempts (10.6), three-point percentage (38.3%), free throw percentage (76.6%), points (11.7), rebounds (2.1), and assists (1.4). On the tail end of his career, Thompson doesn't have much left to give for fantasy basketball players, but figures to be part of the new-look rotation in South Florida.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Nick Richards Works Out with Heat Players in Miami
Free-agent center Nick Richards has been working out in Miami Heat gear on the team's practice court, but the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman downplayed the idea that it signals a front-burner signing. Miami is an offseason hub for player runs, and Winderman framed any Heat path for Richards as more likely a non-guaranteed camp invite than a firm roster move. The 28-year-old could follow the path Precious Achiuwa took last year, though that route would come with no roster-spot guarantee even if he plays well in preseason. Miami's hard cap after the Giannis Antetokounmpo acquisition also limits flexibility while other roster matters remain unresolved. Richards split 2025-26 between Phoenix and Chicago, averaging 5.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 14.6 minutes per game, leaving him off fantasy radars unless a real roster opening develops.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Haywood Highsmith Remains Backburner Option for Heat
Free-agent forward Haywood Highsmith could eventually draw a look from the Miami Heat, though the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman framed any reunion as a backburner scenario. Highsmith spent parts of four seasons in Miami before being traded to Brooklyn last summer, waived by the Nets in February and later signed by Phoenix. A right knee meniscus tear limited him to seven games with the Suns, where he averaged 5.4 points in 13.0 minutes before being waived this month. Winderman noted Miami's bigger need is frontcourt size, preferably someone who can also play center, not another 6-foot-5 combo forward. Gabe Vincent is a similar long-shot reunion name, but neither carries meaningful fantasy value right now.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miss Greece Qualifiers
Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers against Ukraine and Spain, with the Heat requesting that he report to the United States early to continue his preseason integration, according to Eurohoops. The two-time MVP joined Miami this offseason alongside Bobby Portis after an injury-limited 2025-26 season in which he averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists across 36 games. The decision does not hurt his fantasy profile. If anything, the extra ramp-up time with Miami is a small plus, though durability remains the only real concern for a first-round fantasy anchor.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
Davion Mitchell Slims Down for Contract Year
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell has spent the offseason on a demanding workout plan, including sunrise track sessions and overseas training in Greece and Spain, according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. The former ninth overall pick trimmed down to sharpen his defense and enters 2026-27 as Miami's starting point guard in the final season of his two-year, $24 million deal. Mitchell averaged 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three last season. The scoring ceiling is limited with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo driving the offense, but Mitchell's assists, efficiency, and steals give him a useful fantasy floor.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Heat Eye Gabe Vincent for Guard Depth
Free-agent guard Gabe Vincent could still fit as a minimum-salary reunion option for the Miami Heat, according to the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman. Vincent is one of the stronger point guards left on the market, but the fantasy case is thin after he averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists on 35.2 percent shooting across 53 games between the Lakers and Hawks. Miami already has Davion Mitchell positioned as its primary backcourt facilitator, with Dru Smith and two-way guard Tre Donaldson also in the picture. Unless the Heat miss on bigger scoring or shooting targets, Vincent would profile as low-usage insurance rather than a fantasy-relevant add.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Nikola Jovic is Open to Different Roles
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic is prepared to help the team however he can this upcoming season. According to Ira Winderman, Jovic will do whatever is needed, which currently seems to be a power role. The Heat would love to see Jovic make a jump similar to what Jaime Jaquez Jr. did this past season. The Heat traded Jaquez earlier this offseason, so in theory, Jovic could take over his role in the rotation. Last season, Jovic averaged 7.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 17.2 minutes per game in 47 contests. He's entering his fifth season in Miami, but he hasn't really shown much improvement in many areas. We'll see how the Heat handles his role in the rotation this upcoming season.
Source: Ira Winderman
Source: Ira Winderman
Nikola Kusturica Trains With Giannis Antetokounmpo
Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica, a projected lottery pick in the 2028 NBA Draft, recently trained with Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and shared a photo of the session, per Eurohoops. The 17-year-old called Antetokounmpo a "big player, even bigger person," marking another notable moment in a fast-moving summer for one of Europe's top prospects. Kusturica starred at the FIBA U17 World Cup, averaging 24.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while earning Best Defensive Player honors. He has since left Barcelona and committed to UCLA, where he will spend the next stage of his development before becoming draft-eligible in 2028. For fantasy, he carries no redraft relevance yet, but he is already a name for devy and future-draft watchers.
Source: Eurohoops
Source: Eurohoops
