Heat Named As “Potential Destination” For $125 Million Forward

The Miami Heat missed out on acquiring Kevin Durant. The superstar forward is teaming up with Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets. Therefore, Miami must find another way to retool a roster that got bounced in the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

In recent weeks, the Heat have been linked with Jonathan Kuminga and DeMar DeRozan as potential new additions. However, in a July 2 edition of “The Stein Line Newsletter,” NBA insider Jake Fischer floated a new name as a potential target for Miami: John Collins.

“The Miami Heat are an oft-mentioned potential Kuminga suitor and do have a clear need on the wing between All-Star guard Tyler Herro and All-Defensive Team big man Bam Adebayo,” Fischer wrote. “The Heat have also been linked to Kings scoring guard DeMar DeRozan by various league sources and likewise mentioned as a potential destination for Utah’s very available John Collins.”

Collins would bring athleticism, floor spacing and rebounding to Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. He could slot into the frontcourt next to Bam Adebayo, adding a new dimension to how the Heat looks to play.

Collins is in the final year of his current five-year $125 million contract. He recently picked up his player option for next season. Therefore, he should be easily obtainable, should the Heat show a genuine interest.

Heat Could Target Damian Lillard

On Tuesday, July 1, the Milwaukee Bucks made the shock decision to part ways with Damian Lillard. They waived and stretched his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.

According to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, the Heat will be among the several contenders who are interested in scooping up the best free agent point guard.

“The Heat — this is no surprise — are expected to have interest in Damian Lillard, who very surprisingly now holds a lot of cards he didn’t expect to hold,” Reynolds reported via X.

Reynolds then followed up with another post.

“Also expected to have interest: well, lots of teams. It’s up to Dame, and it’s on his timetable because there is no rush whatsoever.”

Lillard is the type of veteran star Riley often covets. However, it will remain to be seen whether the Heat extends him a contract ahead of the current season. Lillard is currently rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon and may not be available for the entire 2025-26 season.

Russell Westbrook is Also an Option

The Heat could turn to Russell Westbrook as a stop-gap solution at the guard position. Furthermore, they could do so while also targeting Lillard.

“The Miami Heat could benefit by adding a point guard this offseason, and they should look no further than Westbrook,” Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters wrote. “The Heat are set with a solid starter in Tyler Herro at the point guard spot, but lack depth. The addition of Kasparas Jakucionis in the NBA draft will help, though he’ll likely play more on the wing. Westbrook would be a solid addition off the bench as well as a veteran presence on a relatively young squad.”

Westbrook could fill the guard position for Miami in the upcoming season. Signing him to a one-year contract would then allow him to hit free agency next summer, making way for Lillard. Of course, Riley may choose to target Collins before solving the point guard conundrum. Fortunately for the Heat, it would appear there are plenty of options for them at present. All they need to do is capitalize on them.