Heat reportedly passed on $203M former first overall pick, 3-time All-Star for final roster spot image
The Miami Heat have one final roster spot left to fill for the upcoming season, and the organization is still trying to figure out what to do with it.
Miami is looking to have a big year after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson in the same offseason. The final roster spot has been linked to former Heat player Gabe Vincent, but that does not appear to be the case.
“I do think the former Heat guard Gabe Vincent has some fans in this building and some fans on that roster who would love for him to be back into the fold, right now it's looking like Miami is not a outcome for Gabe Vincent. But I do think Miami's roster isn't exactly done and the guard position will be something they look at moving forward," Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer said.
However, it turns out that the Heat were also interested in Ben Simmons before ultimately deciding to pass on him.
“A team in win-now mode has to draw a valuation line between players who can be developed/reclaimed and those needed to be able to contribute in the moment, without questions of whether they are healthy enough or still skilled enough. The Kings make all the sense for Ben Simmons and he makes all the sense for them. There is no pressure to produce in Sacramento,” Sun Sentinel’s Ira Winderman wrote.
Simmons is making his return to the NBA, and no one knows exactly what it will look like. The Sacramento Kings ultimately decided to take a chance on the former All-Star.
“Three-time All-Star Ben Simmons has agreed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Sacramento Kings, his agents Max Wiepking, Sean Tribe and Ryan Arney tell me and Marc J Spears. The one-time All-NBA star is back in the NBA for a 10th season after sitting out 2025-26,” ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote.
The three-time All-Star is hoping for a fresh start. Simmons hit the reset button by not playing last season, but he has reportedly looked good in workouts for organizations throughout the summer.
Simmons has made $203 million throughout his career, and the Kings are giving him an opportunity to revive his NBA career. Now, he will have to take advantage of it.
For the Heat, however, they want someone they know can make a significant impact. That is not to say Simmons cannot do that, but Miami has to be confident in whoever it chooses as its final addition.
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