The Miami Heat are no longer engaging the Houston Rockets on a trade for James Harden, a source tells Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The Heat only had a "cursory" conversation with the Rockets.
Miami has been on Harden's secondary list of preferred teams.
The Miami Heat converted Max Strus' contract from an Exhibit 10 to a two-way deal, the team announced on Saturday.
Strus split time last season between the Bulls and their G-League affiliate.
The team also waived B.J. Johnson.
Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/unders for the Eastern Conference.
They discuss the win total, division, conference and title odds as well as any pertinent individual award lines for the Knicks (9:52), Cavs (19:48), Pistons (28:38), Hornets (40:52), Bulls (50:01), Magic (1:00:08), Wizards (1:09:56), Hawks (1:21:22), Pacers (1:29:31), Raptors (1:33:59), 76ers (1:41:21), Heat (1:53:40), Celtics (2:00:53), Nets (2:09:20) and Bucks (2:16:54).
In 2003, agent Bill Duffy infamously failed to notify the Miami Heat that his client, Anthony Carter, would exercise his $4.1 million player option for the 03-04 season. Carter was coming off a disappointing season and the contract was significantly more than he would make on the open market as he signed a minimum contract with the San Antonio Spurs for approximately $750,000.
Duffy agreed to make Carter whole for the mistake by paying him $3 million out of his own pocket through an agreed-upon payment schedule. Duffy made the last of those payments this year with Carter confirming he's been made whole.
Carter said he never considered firing Duffy for the mistake.
“I wasn’t even mad, to tell you the truth,” said Carter, who is now back with the Heat as an assistant coach. “I didn’t think anything of it until lawyers and stuff called. I didn’t jump to any conclusions. I didn’t say, ‘What happened?’ Because I knew what type of person he was. Things happen.”
The Heat unexpectedly had cap space to sign Lamar Odom, who was the centerpiece of a trade for Shaquille O'Neal one offseason later. Miami won the title in 2006 with O'Neal and Dwyane Wade leading the team.
“When this happened, I was hearing from a lot of people because I took responsibility,” Duffy said. “I took ownership of it and took care of it and he was taken care of.
“I’ve had Wall Street people call me and say: ‘Man, that happens all the time. Everybody tries to hide from it. They try to pass the buck. You stood up for it. You took care of it.’ I actually gained a lot of respect from people.”
The Miami Heat emerged as a potential trade partner with the Houston Rockets for James Harden and they may be able to make a better offer than the Brooklyn Nets due to the value of Tyler Herro. The Heat, however, would be unable to beat an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers if they ever decide to make Ben Simmons available.
"Here's the bottom line," said Zach Lowe on his podcast. "I'm not sure any substantive talks have happened with any teams at this point. Let's just make that clear.
"I do think Tyler Herro as a single trade piece trumps anything the Nets can offer. Now, whether it trumps the Nets throwing every pick and every swap and doing the same thing they did for the Celtics except a better player in his prime, that's TBD. But Tyler Herro I think is a more valuable trade piece than Caris LeVert and anything else the Nets can offer. He's not more valuable than Ben Simmons. If and when that discussion happens, if that ever is a thing, I think the Heat are at a disadvantage in that sense."
James Harden has added the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat to his list of trade destinations. Harden previously preferred a trade to either the Brooklyn Nets or Philadelphia 76ers.
The Bucks have limited trade pieces available to acquire a player of Harden's caliber following their acquisition of Jrue Holiday in November.
The Heat could likely build a trade package around Tyler Herro and a number of first round picks.
Harden reported to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and needs to return negative COVID-19 tests for six straight days before being allowed to practice. The Rockets are attempting to wait out an improvement of offers for Harden as he's under contract for two more seasons.
The 76ers want to evaluate their young duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid together under Doc Rivers with a remade roster before making a move. The Rockets could theoretically wait out the 76ers should they get off to a slow start and decide to make Simmons available.
Bam Adebayo discussed his ambitions within basketball, saying he wants to change the game with his versatility on both ends of the court.
"I feel like I'm trying to change basketball; being a center, being able to play both sides of the ball and being able to pass as well as I can, that's a difference-maker on a team, especially at the center spot, so it's respect at all levels," said Adebayo on Friday,
Adebayo added that he wants to be remembered as a top-five center or power forward by the end of his career.
The 23-year-old, who signed a five-year max extension over the offseason, said that he feels the responsibility of winning with the Heat.
"Now it's my time to figure out how we can win, how we can get to that level -- where we can raise that trophy. That's my goal. That's the responsibility that I have, and I'm going to figure that out one way or another."
While the Miami Heat consider Giannis Antetokounmpo their preferred acquisition target, they plan to shift to Bradley Beal should the two-time MVP sign an extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
"If Giannis Antetokounmpo signs a max extension with the Bucks, Washington guard Bradley Beal becomes the No. 1 Heat target if or when he becomes available," writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. "The Heat’s interest remains very high, according to a source with direct knowledge."
The Heat could likely build a trade package around Tyler Herro, either Duncan Robinson or Precious Achiuwa and a 2025 first rounder.
Beyond Antetokounmpo and Beal, the next most-likely option would be Victor Oladipo if he returns to his All-Star level. Oladipo is unlikely to be pursued via trade unless it is clear the Heat won't acquire Antetokounmpo or Beal.
Miami could sign Oladipo outright next offseason while keeping Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro if Oladipo signs for $4 million less than his max.
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