The Miami Heat head into the 2025-26 season as one of the most interesting teams in the NBA. Although they have one of the youngest rosters in the league, the Heat are viewed as a dark horse to contend for the title.
This reputation can be attributed to the development of their young core over the last few years, specifically their star duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. With the growth of other key players like Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, and Davion Mitchell, the Heat also benefit from the offseason addition of Norman Powell to boost their offensive firepower. Overall, Miami looks solid.
However, when looking at the Heat roster, it is evident that some pressing needs must be addressed if the team intends to compete for the title next year.
While the issues associated with their big man rotation certainly demand attention, the Heat are also lacking in the point guard department, specifically in the role of a playmaker. To answer this, Miami could take a risk and sign free agent guard Russell Westbrook.
Herro, while brilliant in his role, isn’t primarily a playmaker. His strength lies in his shooting skills and overall offensive versatility. In response to their star’s strengths, the organization decided to draft Kasparas Jakucionis this year.
Jakucionis, while gifted, is still inexperienced. His struggles with turning the ball over at the Las Vegas Summer League are also a telling sign that he will require guidance and grooming before he is ready to lead the offense.
With this in mind, signing Westbrook should be considered a priority for Miami, especially considering that they were viewed as favorites to sign him earlier in the offseason.
Westbrook is currently among the several free agents still available on the market, which has been viewed as shocking by several former players, given the guard’s reputation.
While he is far removed from his prime, even at this stage in his career, Westbrook is undoubtedly a productive rotational piece. During the 2024-25 season with the Denver Nuggets, the nine-time All-Star demonstrated his ability to run an offense in the capacity of both a bench player and a starter.
Last season, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.9% overall and 32.3% from three-point range. In addition to his work on offense, Westbrook also showed impressive effort on defense, albeit in limited bursts. His averages of 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game stand to prove this point.
On Miami’s roster, Westbrook could be considered an ideal fit. His high-octane playing style and aggression align with the organization’s mentality.
