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Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
How Heat stacks up with rest of East after offseason. A look at every team's rotation
Barring a potential August or September surprise (including a possible Giannis Antetokounmpo trade), most NBA teams have their rosters largely settled. So Where does the Heat stand in the East after re-signing Davion Mitchell, drafting Kasparas Jakucionis and essentially replacing Duncan Robinson and Alec Burks with Norman Powell and Simone Fontecchio on a team that went 37-45 and was annihilated in the first round of the playoffs by top-seeded Cleveland? Here's a look at how the projected rotations of NBA Eastern teams and how the Heat's personnel stacks up with everyone: HEAT ▪ Potential starters: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Kel'el Ware or Nikola Jovic. ▪ Top reserves: Davion Mitchell, Nikola Jovic or Ware (whoever doesn't start) and some combination of Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson and Terry Rozier. ▪ Comment: Though it's possible Mitchell could start, the Heat valued his energy and activity off the bench, and playing Powell with Herro should make the Heat's offense more diversified and dynamic. Ware's strong close to summer league helps his case to remain a starter, but Jovic likely will get plenty of camp/preseason reps alongside Adebayo as well. Anywhere from fifth to 10th in the East seems realistic, and there's seemingly no team besides Cleveland and New York that is clearly better than Miami (unless Philadelphia's roster is fully healthy). CLEVELAND ▪ Potential starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen. ▪ Top reserves: DeAndre Hunter, Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, Dean Wade, Larry Nance Jr. ▪ Heat comparison: Losing Ty Jerome to Memphis will hurt, but the Cavs still look like one of the top two teams in the East, albeit one that has yet to prove capable of a long playoff run. And while the Powell acquisition might have very slightly closed the ocean-size gap between the Heat and Cavs, the Heat will need an enormous jump from Ware and better playoff work from Herro and Wiggins to be competitive with a Cavs team that drubbed them by a total of 122 points in the four-game sweep. NEW YORK ▪ Potential starters: Karl Anthony-Towns, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges. ▪ Top reserves: Mitchell Robinson, Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele. ▪ Heat comparison: Though the coaching move from Tom Thibodeau to Mike Brown seems a lateral move at best, the Knicks found good value in the underrated Yabusele (two years, $12 million) and Clarkson at the minimum. The Knicks roster remains clearly better than Miami's, though not quite as lopsided as a year ago. ORLANDO ▪ Potential starters: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane. ▪ Top reserves: Anthony Black, Goga Bitadze, Tristan De Silva, Jonathan Isaac, Mo Wagner, Jase Richardson. ▪ Heat comparison: The addition of Bane (though at a steep cost of four first-round picks) and the return to health from Suggs (16.2 ppg in 35 games) slightly widens the previous margin between the Heat and Magic. Remember, Banchero played in only 46 games last year and Wagner 60, so the margin between the teams wasn't as close as their four-game gap in the standings would suggest. If the two emerging stars (and 24 ppg scorers) play more games, it's almost impossible to envision the Magic finishing behind the Heat. INDIANA ▪ Potential starters: Pascal Siakam, Tony Bradley, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Benedict Mathurin. ▪ Top rotation reserves: T.J. McConnell, Obi Toppin, Quenton Jackson, Jerace Walker, Ben Sheppard, ▪ Heat comparison: No team has been diminished more in the past five weeks by the Pacers, first by losing Tyrese Haliburton to a torn Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals and then by losing Myles Turner in free agency. With Haliburton out for all of next season, coach Rick Carlisle must decide whether to start McConnell or Mathurin. The move from Turner to Bradley is a major downgrade. The upshot is that the Heat roster is arguably better than what the defending Eastern Conference champions will put on the floor next season, barring trades. MILWAUKEE ▪ Potential starters: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Kyle Kuzma. ▪ Top reserves: Bobby Portis, Gary Harris, Ryan Rollins, AJ Green, Taurean Prince. ▪ Heat comparison: Whether Antetokounmpo asks out remains the NBA's biggest remaining story of the offseason. Asked earlier this month if he plans to remain with the Bucks, he said: 'Probably. We'll see ... probably. I love Milwaukee.' Credit the Bucks for trying to appease Antetokounmpo by creatively finding a way to add Turner by waiving-and-stretching Damian Lillard, who is expected to miss most or all of next season with a torn Achilles. Though the Bucks were able to retain Porter, Trent and Prince, they lost Brook Lopez, and Kuzma must play a lot better after a playoff disappearing act. The Bucks — who finished 11 games ahead of the Heat last season — likely have the better roster if Antetokounmpo remains, but it's no longer clear cut. DETROIT ▪ Potential starters: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren. ▪ Top reserves: Duncan Robinson, Caris LaVert, Isaiah Stewart, Paul Reed, Marcus Sasser. ▪ Heat comparison: The Pistons, already on the rise, might have downgraded slightly by replacing Malik Beasley (who is being investigated by the feds for alleged gambling) and Tim Hardaway Jr. with Robinson and LaVert. But Powell's addition probably won't be able to make up the seven-game difference in the standings between the teams last season. There's not an enormous gulf between the Heat and Pistons rosters — on paper. ATLANTA ▪ Potential starters: Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Kristaps Porzingis, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu. ▪ Top reserves: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard, Zaccharie Risacher, Kobe Bufkin. ▪ Heat comparison: With Young a year from potential free agency, the Hawks were resolute in augmenting a roster that lost at home to Miami in the play-in. The return of emerging impact player Johnson from last year's season-ending injury (he averaged 18.9 points and 10 rebounds in 36 games), the additions of Porzingis and Alexander-Walker and Kennard and the development of Okongwu (13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds) put the Hawks ahead of Miami from a talent standpoint. But Porzingis' health is always a question, and Young has shot worse against Miami (39.5% in 23 games) than against any other Eastern conference team. The Hawks might have outgrown the play-in in a depleted, parity-infused East. If they meet again in April, Atlanta — if healthy — would seemingly be the favorite. BOSTON ▪ Potential starters: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, Luka Garza. ▪ Top reserves: Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard, Xavier Tillman. ▪ Heat comparison: The Celtics have gone from Eastern co-front-runners last April to a potential lottery team because of the loss of Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles and the luxury tax/second-apron issues that forced the trades of Jrue Holiday (to Portland), Porzingis (to Atlanta), the loss of Luke Kornet (to San Antonio) and the likely loss of Al Horford, who continues to consider interest from several teams (and possible retirement). Instead of chasing Boston, Miami seems to have surpassed what the Celtics will field next season. Simons reportedly is being shopped. PHILADELPHIA ▪ Potential starters: Joel Embiid, Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, Quentin Grimes Jared McCain or VJ Edgecombe. ▪ Top reserves: McCain or Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Eric Gordon, Kyle Lowry, Justin Edwards, Andre Drummond. ▪ Heat comparison: Edgecombe, the third overall pick in last month's draft, looked like a future star in summer league, and McCain was terrific (16.2 ppg) before a season-ending injury last December. If this roster is ever healthy, it's top four in the East from a talent standpoint. But when are the 76ers ever healthy? Embiid's knees remain a perpetual problem, and George's the timetable from last week's knee surgery remains murky. The Heat is better than a 76ers team with Embiid or George, but can't compete talent wise with a fully healthy Philadelphia roster. CHICAGO ▪ Potential starters: Coby White, Josh Giddey (presuming he re-signs as a restricted free agent), Ayo Dosunmo, Matas Buzelis, Nic Vucevic. ▪ Top reserves: Kevin Huerter, Patrick Williams, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Zach Collins Jevon Carter. ▪ Heat comparison: The perpetually middling Bulls added Okoro and Collins and are immersed in a financial staredown with Giddey. They're probably a 10th seed at best. Miami, which beat Chicago in the Tuesday play-in last season, seems now clearly better. TORONTO ▪ Potential starters: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poetl. ▪ Top reserves: Grady Dick, Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, Jonathan Mogbo, A.J. Lawson. ▪ Heat comparison: If Ingram can stay healthy, this group could surpass a Chicago team that it finished nine games behind last season and possibly sneak into the play-in. The Heat finished seven games ahead of the Raptors last season, and the Powell pickup should keep Miami ahead. BROOKLYN ▪ Potential starters: Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Ziaire Williams, Cam Thomas, Egor Demin ▪ Top reserves: Keon Johnson, Terance Mann, Jalen Wilson, Noah Clowley, Jay'ron Sharpe and rookies Nolan Traore Drake Wilson, Danny Wolf, ▪ Heat comparison: The Porter/Cam Johnson trade was something of a wash, and much of Brooklyn's long-term hopes rest with this rookie class, headed by former BYU point guard Demin. If the Nets surpass the Heat, then this would be an unmitigated disaster of a season for Miami. At the very least, the Heat seems ahead of Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Charlotte and Washington — which would assure a spot in the play-in, at the very least. CHARLOTTE ▪ Potential starters: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Mason Plumlee, Kon Knueppel ▪ Top reserves: Tre Mann, Spencer Dinwiddie, Colin Sexton, Grant Williams, Pat Connaughton, Josh Green, rookie Liam McNeeley. ▪ Heat comparison: There should be improvement with the return to health by Ball (25.2 ppg in 47 games) and Grant Williams (10.4 ppg in 16 games) and the additions of Dinwiddie, Sexton, Connaughton and rookies Knueppel and McNeeley. But Miami finished 18 games ahead of the Hornets last season, and these additions likely won't make up that kind of difference with a Powell-infused Heat team. WASHINGTON ▪ Potential starters: CJ McCollum, Bub Carrington, Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Alex Sarr ▪ Top reserves: Malcolm Brogdon, Cody Kispert, sixth overall pick Tre Johnson, Cam Whitmore, Tristan Vukcevic, Marvin Bagley III. ▪ Comment/Heat comparison: The Wizards seem immersed in an eternal rebuild, with virtually no hope of contending anytime soon. The Heat finished 19 games ahead of Washington last season, and that gulf should remain, if not expand.
USA Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA executive: LeBron James 'made a mistake' by staying with Lakers
In all likelihood, LeBron James will remain a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, at the very least, to start the upcoming NBA season. When he exercised his player option for the 2025-26 campaign, his agent, Rich Paul, issued a statement that many interpreted as one that at least kept the door open to a trade request, but according to a recent report, James is expected to be with the Lakers when training camp starts. One reason he's expected to stay put is the reality of how difficult it would be to work out a trade that would send him to a team that would have enough talent remaining to immediately contend for the NBA championship. Some feel that if he wanted to go to another team badly enough, he should've simply opted out and signed elsewhere as a free agent. While the Lakers appear to have a very good roster right now, they aren't a championship contender, and Paul's statement made it clear that James wants to win a fifth ring. One NBA executive said that the superstar's best bet would've been to join the Cleveland Cavaliers, his original team, and that he "made a mistake" by picking up his player option. Via Hoops Wire: 'I'm not gonna sit here and tell someone to say no to over $50 million, but LeBron is a billionaire, man,' the NBA exec said. 'He has enough money and makes enough off the court. If I were in his camp, I would have told him to decline his player option with the Lakers and sign with the Cavs. That would have been the smart play. 'Do you know how dangerous Cleveland would have been? LeBron starting next to Donovan [Mitchell], Evan [Mobley], Jarrett [Allen] and Darius [Garland]? They would have walked to the NBA Finals and it would have been a storybook ending for LeBron to finish his career in Cleveland. I think he made a mistake.' Obviously, James would've had to take a major pay cut to sign with the Cavs, who entered the offseason over the second apron of the NBA's salary cap. They were considered one of the favorites to reach the NBA Finals this past season after going 64-18, but they got slammed in the second round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers. With the Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season, the Cavaliers could've had an easy path to the championship series by adding James. James, of course, spent his first seven seasons with the Cavs after they took him with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft. He left in free agency to join the Miami Heat in 2010, but the Akron, Ohio native returned to the Cavs in 2014 and got them their first NBA title two years later. At this point, the only realistic way for James to return to them is through a contract buyout this offseason, which seems even more unlikely than a trade. That is because, as a second apron team, Cleveland cannot aggregate salaries in a trade.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LeBron James goes viral over appearance at Cavs practice facility
The post LeBron James goes viral over appearance at Cavs practice facility appeared first on ClutchPoints. The relationship between the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James has been a tad rocky this offseason, as the organization has made it clear they plan to build for the future more so than a title run next season. With the rumor mill buzzing, James went viral on Friday after making an appearance at the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility. Advertisement It's unclear whether or not it was just a 4th of July visit back to his hometown, or if it's a sign of what's to come. Either way, LeBron James went viral after posting a photo of himself alongside Denver Jones, a Summer League rookie for the Cavs. The photo caused numerous Cavs fans to react on social media. Many are asking questions about why LeBron James decided to make an appearance at the Cavaliers' practice facility while still signed with the Lakers. Meanwhile, others are hoping and praying this means the 40-year-old returns to the team by next season. 'Lebron should declare his independence from the Lakers and come back to Cleveland,' said one fan. Advertisement Another user asked, 'Why is LeBron in the Cavs' facility? Plz don't do this to me.' 'No way LeBron gets traded,' said one individual in disbelief. This person claims, 'I've been saying it for a month now — he's going back to Cleveland.' 'Couldn't make it any more obvious, let's go BELIEVELAND we back,' said another user. Although plenty of Cavs fans are over the moon and coming up with their own speculations, LeBron James was quick to shut down the excitement. Not long after the photo went viral, the four-time MVP blasted everyone who shared the picture. He made it clear that this is something he does every summer and tells everyone to simply enjoy the Holiday. Advertisement 'And every summer since it was built. I live here still and train every summer. Got damn yall bored man! Go get a plate of food somewhere and enjoy the 4th of July!' So, perhaps it was just a picture and nothing more. Despite LeBron James clearing the air, Cavs fans will likely continue to speculate a departure from Los Angeles. Related: Lonzo Ball breaks silence on trade to Cavaliers Related: NBA rumors: Insider concocts 4-team LeBron James trade sending him to Cavs
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Pacers' wild comebacks continue in NBA Summer League opener as two-way players lead the way
Point guard RayJ Dennis had 26 points and nine assists, guard Quenton Jackson had 24 points and the Pacers rallied back from a 16-point first-half deficit to beat the Cavaliers 116-115 in their first NBA Summer League game Thursday at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas. The Pacers take a 1-0 record into their 5:30 p.m., Saturday against the Thunder in a rematch of the NBA Finals. Center Enrique Freeman scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and hit the two free throws that gave the Pacers the lead with 6.3 seconds to go, and Cleveland's Jaylon Tyson missed a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds to seal the Pacers win. Indiana forward Phillip Wheeler added 15 points. Cleveland's Nae'Qwan Tomlin scored 30 points and Jaylon Tyson added 20. As for the rookies, Kam Jones had five points in 20 minutes (2-of-4 shooting) and Taelon Peter played 28 minutes, finishing with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. NBA Summer League Pacers vs Cavs stats: How did Kam Jones, Taelon Peter do? The Pacers fell behind by as many as 16 points in the second quarter and were down 63-50 at the break, but the driving force of their comeback was their most experienced player. Guard Quenton Jackson, who is participating in his fourth NBA Summer League after spending the past three seasons on two-way contracts, got limited minutes in the first half as the Pacers prioritized younger players, but when he got on the floor his athleticism and aggression made a clear and immediate difference. He scored 12 points in the third quarter to help the Pacers win the period 34-23 to draw back to within two points of the lead. He finished with 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting — drilling his only 3-point attempt — and also hitting all seven of his free throws. He also recorded two steals, helping to turn defense into offense. The Pacers recorded 10 steals and forced 18 Cavaliers' turnovers. Their 23 points off turnovers were a big part of the reason they were able to make a comeback, and Jackson was frequently involved either by recording steals himself, getting his hand on the ball or running out in transition to complete the play. He helped the Pacers outscore the Cavs 66-52 in the second half. The Pacers may have drafted Kam Jones to provide more depth at point guard, but two-way contract guard RayJ Dennis ran the point for most of Thursday's game and looked more than comfortable in the Pacers' high-octane offense as both a distributor and a scorer. Dennis kept the ball moving and constantly looked for the opportunity to run, helping the Pacers put 13 fast-break points on the board. His nine assists set the tone for the Pacers, who recorded 23 assists on 39 baskets. Dennis also scored at all three levels with strong finishes at the rim, an impressive floater and pull-up game and good shooting from long distance. He scored 26 points on 8-of-16 shooting including 4-of-8 from 3. He hit six of seven free throws and also recorded four rebounds and two steals, showing energy on both ends. As the Pacers look for back court depth behind Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell as Tyrese Haliburton spends the year recovering from an Achilles tendon tear, Dennis looked like a viable third option at the point. Johnny Furphy is the only Pacers player who spent last year on a full-time roster who is playing with the Pacers this summer, and the coaches and front office have high hopes for what he can do with some playing time. The 6-9 wing from Australia by way of Kansas started strong Thursday but left early after taking an elbow to the jaw. In nine minutes on the floor, Furphy scored eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, knocking down 2-of-3 3-point attempts and finishing at the rim with his left-hand for the third bucket. He had three turnovers, but he recorded an assist with a kickout pass to Dennis. President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said this week Furphy has put 20 pounds of muscle on since last season, and that muscle clearly seems to be helping him hold his ground both on defense and in the rebounding game and he's playing a more aggressive, fearless game. However, Furphy took an elbow to the jaw in the first quarter and didn't return to the game. NBA TV sideline reporter and former NBA sharpshooter Dennis Scott reported after halftime Furphy doesn't have a concussion or anything of that nature, but the Pacers weren't trying to further risk injury in a Summer League game and took to opportunity to get other players on the floor.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to Watch Indiana Pacers' Summer League Debut vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
How to Watch Indiana Pacers' Summer League Debut vs. Cleveland Cavaliers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If you're tuning into NBA Summer League to watch stars, maybe this game isn't for you. Neither the Indiana Pacers nor the Cleveland Cavaliers has an elite rookie or the son of the greatest player ever on their Summer League rosters. The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers will play immediately after the Pacers and Cavs in what could be a record-breaking Summer League game. Advertisement The game between the Pacers and Cavs is for true NBA sickos, but we have you covered with everything you need to know before tipoff. Summer League Rosters Pacers Steven Ashworth Robert Baker Buddy Boeheim RayJ Dennis R.J. Felton Enrique Freeman Johnny Furphy Quenton Jackson Josiah-Jordan James Samson Johnson Hunter Maldonado Taelon Peter Keisei Tominaga Phillip Wheeler Cavaliers Jaylon Tyson Nae'Qwan Tomlin Kadin Shedrick Jaxson Robinson Tyrese Proctor Craig Porter Jr. Norchad Omier Saliou Niang Denver Jones Chaney Johnson Tristan Enaruna Darius Brown Warith Alatishe How to Watch Time: 5:00 PM EST Location: Las Vegas, NV Channel: NBA TV, FanDuel Sports Network - Indiana Streaming: ESPN+ Betting Odds Spread: Pacers -2 (-110)/Cavaliers +2 (-110) Money line: Pacers (-138)/Cavaliers (+112) Over/under: 184.5 Neither the Cavs nor the Pacers had a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, although the Cavs did pick up Duke standout Tyrese Proctor and the Pacers added All-American guard Kam Jones from Marquette, who will not suit up in the Summer League debut. Advertisement For even the most diehard Pacers fans, most of the players on the Summer League roster will be unrecognizable, although seeing if sophomore Johnny Furphy can carve out a bigger role for himself next season will be a key storyline to watch this summer and into the preseason. Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: Rick Carlisle Breaks Silence on Indiana Pacers Losing Myles Turner Related: Pacers' President Reveals Tyrese Haliburton Disagreement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
