Inside The Heat

Heat Predicted To Acquire $76 Million Guard Via Buyout To Complement Tyler Herro

Anthony Pasciolla

Feb 7, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Feb 7, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat clearly have a desire to continue competing in the Eastern Conference, which was made apparent by their return package in the Jimmy Butler blockbuster trade.

Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and Davion Mitchell are win-now players who fit nicely alongside the star tandem of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. Although the trade deadline is past, the Heat's front office could turn to the buyout market for additional talent.

YouTube channel Heat Report By Chat Sports predicts the Heat will acquire Washington Wizards guard and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart if his contract is bought out.

"But he [Bruce Brown] is not my No. 1 target, that would be Marcus Smart," YouTuber Nic Rohloff began. "It's unclear if they are going to buy him out, you'll have to see if Smart wants to get bought out. Smart really doesn't fit with that group. Does Marcus Smart prioritize wanting to be on a winning basketball team like the Miami Heat or stay and make sure he's guaranteed $20 million next season?"

Smart is the perfect style of guard to pair alongside Herro in the backcourt, especially considering Terry Rozier's struggles this season. As previously mentioned, he is a former DPOY who can score and make plays for his teammates when needed.

The only major concern is his ability to stay healthy, appearing in 19 games this season and 20 the previous.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com