With one roster spot remaining, Miami could bolster its championship pursuit by targeting a versatile national champion guard or a veteran floor-spacer to solidify the bench if they become available.
The Miami Heat have had a franchise-changing offseason. Obviously, the biggest move was landing Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo after years of rumors. After that trade, the Heat became one of the top destinations for veteran free agents around the league and players such as Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nick Richards signed short-term contracts to hunt for a championship. Now, in the back-half of September, the roster is basically set but there is one roster spot available. Miami already has the league-minimum 14 roster spots filled but that 15th spot is optional. They could fill it now with another free agent or opt to hold off until later this season in case a two-way player breaks out and is deserving of a standard NBA contract or if a solid veteran hits the buyout market.
Over the past couple of seasons, there have been good veterans negotiating buyouts with their respective teams around the mid-way point of the regular season, typically around the trade deadline. Here are two names to keep an eye on as buyout candidates for the Heat to target if they become available later this season:
1. Walter Clayton Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Clayton, 23, was one of the best players in college basketball just a year ago and has already found himself dealt in a trade and back on the chopping block. Clayton won a national title with the Florida Gators and was a consensus first-team All-American in 2025. That earned him a spot in the first round of last summer's draft where he was selected by the Utah Jazz at No. 18. His splits in Utah weren't too strong in 45 games played and he was dealt to the Grizzlies as part of the blockbuster Jaren Jackson Jr. deal at the trade deadline. Now, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, he surprisingly could be a cap casualty before the start of the season. It would be shocking to see a first-round pick from last summer hit free agency. If that is the case, the Heat should jump at the opportunity to add him as they need a backup guard behind Davion Mitchell and there is plenty of room for growth despite his immediate growing pains at the NBA level.
2. Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs
Barnes, 34, was one of the unsung heroes for the Spurs last season as they made their way to the NBA Finals. He is certainly getting up there in age but was a solid shooter for them from beyond the arc and played tight defense. He re-signed with San Antonio on a one-year contract this offseason. However, if the Spurs make a move around the mid-season mark to further build their stacked unit, Barnes could be a guy pushed to the side and potentially waived. San Antonio already has a ton of depth behind their starting lineup. The Heat could use a three-and-D forward with playoff experience and Barnes would absolutely be a solid veteran to target if he somehow becomes available before his contract expires next offseason.
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