It’s not even training camp, but many have already counted out the Miami Heat next season. Even after a solid offseason that should make them better in a cakewalk Eastern Conference.
Doubting the Heat seems like a mistake, especially if a superstar shakes loose. You have to be living under a rock to not have heard about the Kawhi Leonard scandal gripping the NBA.
For those who aren’t aware, the Los Angeles Clippers have been accused of paying Leonard up to $48 million in extra money. That’s on top of the $175 million they paid him between 2021 and 2025.
That would seem like textbook salary cap circumvention if the accusations are proven true. If they are, then the league could come down hard on the Clippers, stripping them of all their remaining picks, leaving them without a first for up to eight years.
More importantly for the Heat, they could also void Leonard’s contract, suddenly making him a free agent. Best believe that teams are licking their chops at that possibility, and Heat Team President Pat Riley could be the one to pounce.
The Heat should move heaven and earth to land Kawhi Leonard
Riley has an incredible record when it comes to luring top stars, and Leonard could be the latest if he shakes loose. Adding Leonard for the minimum and then working out a long-term contract next summer would be a huge get for Miami, which has a good but not great roster.
They already project to have huge cap space next summer, particularly if they trade Andrew Wiggins. That would also free up a spot on the wing in their starting lineup for Leonard to join them.
Were that to happen, it would transform the Heat into instant contenders with him joining a starting lineup that features Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kell’el Ware.
The Miami Heat would be instant contenders with Kawhi Leonard
The defensive potential alone could help Miami improve dramatically next season with them starting four-plus defenders together.
They’d also have plenty of offensive punch with Herro and Leonard both averaging over 20 points per game last season. Adebayo also averaged roughly 19 points, and Norm Powell averaged 22 points in 2024-25.
Considering the conference they play in, adding Leonard for nothing would likely make them a top-3 team, putting them behind only the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks. That would give them a reasonable path to the Eastern Conference Finals in this scenario.
All in all, the chances of Leonard being made a free agent seem increasingly possible. If his contract is voided, then the Heat could be an attractive landing spot, with Riley possibly working his magic one more time to bring another star to South Beach.
