RADIO
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
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
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
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
Tre Donaldson Flirts With Triple-Double in Heat's Comeback Win
Miami Heat guard Tre Donaldson flirted with a triple-double in Friday's 101-87 Summer League win over the Pistons, finishing with 20 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds on 8-for-12 shooting over 37 minutes. He saved his best for last, scoring 13 in a 35-point fourth quarter that erased a 72-66 deficit. The undrafted Miami product capped a strong summer, one that included a 22-point game against Cleveland, on the pace and playmaking that earned him a two-way deal. NBA minutes may be scarce on a Heat team filling out its backcourt, but Miami has developed guards through its G League affiliate before, and a pass-first lead guard fits that pipeline.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Russell Westbrook Emerges as a Target for the Heat
Miami has emerged as the team to watch for free-agent guard Russell Westbrook, the New York Post's Stefan Bondy reports. Westbrook remains unsigned deep into the offseason, and the former MVP is generating interest as contenders round out their guard rotations. He stayed productive with Sacramento last season, averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals in 29.0 minutes, though his 33.8 percent clip from three continues to cloud his fit on a spacing-dependent roster. Should he land in Miami, Westbrook would be a bench ball-handler in a Giannis Antetokounmpo-led rotation, a complementary role that would trim his usage and cap his fantasy ceiling well below his Kings workload.
Source: Stefan Bondy
Source: Stefan Bondy
Dru Smith Locks in Roster Spot as Heat Guarantee Salary
Miami Heat guard Dru Smith had his $2.6 million salary for 2026-27 fully guaranteed Sunday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports, securing his rotation spot after Miami passed on waiving him. Smith set career highs last season with 5.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 16.3 minutes across 70 games. The 41.5 percent shooting limits his scoring, but he ranked first in steals per 36 minutes among players with 50-plus games. With Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. dealt to Milwaukee, the backcourt thinned behind Davion Mitchell, clearing steadier minutes. He's a deep-league steals source.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
Kasparas Jakucionis Shipped to Milwaukee
Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a blockbuster deal to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat are sending Jakucionis, Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and three first-round picks to the Bucks in exchange for Antekokounmpo and Bobby Portis. The Heat selected Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick during last year's draft. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across 17.8 minutes per game in 53 games with the Heat this past season. Jakucionis probably isn't quite ready for a starting role yet, but he's a solid young prospect. The 20-year-old should be part of the rotation and will hopefully earn a larger role over time in Milwaukee.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tyler Herro is Heading to Milwaukee
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro has been traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a blockbuster deal to acquire superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat will send Herro with Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and three first-round picks to Milwaukee. Herro will now get the keys to run an offense with this trade to the Bucks. He'll be the clear No. 1 option, which should be a benefit to this fantasy value. This past season, Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 31.3 minutes per game in 33 contests. The biggest problem for Herro has been staying healthy, as he's only played over 60 games in a single season three times during his career. Herro is set to be a free agent in the 2027 offseason, so we'll see if the two sides end up reaching a long-term extension.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tyler Herro Could Land in Detroit in a Giannis Trade
The Detroit Pistons could land point guard/shooting guard Tyler Herro by serving as a third-team facilitator in a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade to Miami, a framework reported by NBA insider Marc Stein. Locked On Pistons' Ku Khahil added that Herro-to-Detroit talk is "picking up steam." Detroit wants shooting and offense around All-Star guard Cade Cunningham, and Herro fits that need cleanly. The fantasy catch is role: in Miami, the one-time All-Star is one of the team's top offensive options, but next to Cunningham in Detroit, his usage and scoring could slide into a more complementary spot. Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this past season, though injuries held him to a career-low 33 games. That availability, plus thin defensive and secondary numbers, makes him a high-scoring but injury-prone fantasy piece whose value could dip in a smaller offensive role.
Source: Ku Khahil
Source: Ku Khahil
Kasparas Jakucionis Blocking Out Trade Rumors
Miami Heat guard Kasparas Jakucionis said he is not focused on trade rumors involving Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, telling Eurohoops, "I can't really control it." The 20-year-old is instead turning his attention to development and Lithuania's upcoming FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers games. Jakucionis had a modest rookie season, averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, but his long-term fantasy appeal still comes from size, playmaking, and a path to more on-ball reps. If Miami lands a star without moving Jakucionis, his short-term role could shrink, so this rumor cycle matters more for his immediate opportunity than his long-term fantasy value.
Source: Johnny Askounis
Source: Johnny Askounis
