With Giannis Antetokounmpo anchoring a new era in Miami, the Heat may target veteran scoring and size to solidify a championship roster through the mid-season buyout market.
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 three names to keep an eye on as buyout candidates for the Heat to target if they become available later this season:
1. D'Angelo Russell, Memphis Grizzlies
There have already been rumors about the Grizzlies parting with Russell after acquiring him earlier this offseason. However, he has not been sent to free agency yet. Russell, 30, was once a high-scoring guard but has fallen off in recent years. He's no longer the 20-point scorer he was earlier this decade but could still provide some solid depth off the bench. For a team that only has Davion Mitchell as a true point guard at the moment, Miami could show interest in adding a veteran who has shown he can score at a solid clip even if it's been a few years.
2. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings
LaVine, 31, is one of those players who is seemingly always included in trade rumors and discussions. He was finally dealt to the Kings in 2025 after multiple years of rumors while with the Chicago Bulls. Now, the Kings are one of the lower-ranked teams in the Western Conference and LaVine is only under contract through this season. He suffered a season-ending tendon injury in February but is expected to be back in time for the start of the regular season. His sizable contract could prevent the Kings from finding a trade partner and could simply encourage the team to negotiate a buyout agreement. He is still an elite scorer and hasn't shown too many signs of slowing down despite getting older and suffering multiple injuries.
3. Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers
Lopez, 38, has quietly been one of the most consistent centers over the past two decades. He is in the twilight of his career but still rebounds well and can shoot from beyond the arc. He has one year remaining with the Clippers and with that franchise in disarray at the moment, he could very well be bought out around the trade deadline if they are sellers. Lopez played alongside Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis for many seasons in Milwaukee and if Richards isn't cutting it as the team's backup center, there aren't many better options than the veteran even at his age.
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