Oct 26, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell (5) brings the ball up court during the game between the Mavericks and the Raptors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell (5) brings the ball up court during the game between the Mavericks and the Raptors at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Miami Heat are basically set for the 2026-27 season. After trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, they followed it up with some key acquisitions, including Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Nick Richards. As it stands, the Heat are more than comfortable starting the season as-is, but that doesn’t mean they won’t consider a few more roster tweaks before opening night.
Specifically, the team needs help in the backcourt, and that’s why they’ve reportedly set their sights on two veteran guards: Gabe Vincent and D’Angelo Russell. No deal is imminent at the moment, but both players have been tied to non-guaranteed training camp invites with just weeks to go before the season.
“Gabe Vincent remains available for a reunion, and there could be something to be said about a non-guaranteed camp invite, if he were to be amenable,” wrote Ira Winderman. “A Grizzlies buyout of D’Angelo Russell could also open a door for veteran depth at the position.”
The Heat were in NBA purgatory last season, but they are in full win-now mode with Giannis, Bam Adebayo, and Andrew Wiggins leading the charge. While not favored in the East, they are projected to be a top-six team this season, and that’s on the low end. At their best, the Heat could easily make a run to the Finals, but it will depend on several crucial factors, not the last of which is how much production they get in the backcourt.
With Davion Mitchell and Tim Hardaway Jr. expected to get the starting spots, Miami only really needs an extra spark off the bench. D’Angelo Russell, despite a complicated history, can provide that spark for a modest contract. The former NBA All-Star only played 26 games last season, but he has shown flashes of greatness in the past, with career averages of 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 42.7% shooting from the field.
Known as an elite ball handler and playmaker, Russell could help run the second unit and secure easy looks for guys like Klay Thompson and Bobby Portis. Plus, as a capable three-point shooter, he could stretch the floor and help space out the offense. The only catch is that Russell is currently signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, meaning the Heat would need to wait for a buyout before he’s available.
If not Russell, Gabe Vincent is another potential option. While his stats and role have dramatically declined in recent years, he’s still someone who might be able to provide good minutes for them. Vincent, 6’2″, played his first four seasons with the Heat, and it’s where he had the best stretch of his career with averages of 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game on 39.9% shooting.
Gabe left the Heat in 2023 to sign with the Lakers, but he’s a free agent once again and remains without a contract months into the offseason. His very NBA future is in doubt, but he may yet be able to restore his value by returning to the very team he had his best stretch with.
Ultimately, only time will tell how this all plays out for Miami, but there is no doubt they are utilizing every tool at their disposal to make a run. Whether they decide to keep the roster as-is or make one final addition, we can expect Miami to be highly competitive this season as they continue seeking opportunities to improve.