The Miami Heat are resting Jimmy Butler during their game at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. Miami is on a back-to-back, after playing at the Boston Celtics on Friday night.

Kevin Love, Caleb Martin, Josh Richardson and Haywood Highsmith will also miss the game. All four players are dealing with various injuries.

Despite rumors that Tyler Herro was offered to the Portland Trail Blazers, or third teams, in Damian Lillard trade talks, Miami Heat president Pat Riley says that never happened. But Riley caveated his statement before even finishing it.

“We have never shopped him and had no interest in ever trading the guy,” Riley said of Herro. “But when you’re talking about acquiring one of the top five players in the league, there isn’t anybody on our team that won’t be discussed.”

Riley went on to say he believes the Heat have a solid roster. But he added that the Heat will go as far as Herro, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler take them.

“To win it, it’s going to take this mentality on the part of our team and on the part of our three best players — most importantly, Jimmy and Bam and Tyler,” Riley said. “They’re the guys we really look to, the guys that are getting paid, they have to have far and away their career-best years that impact winning. So, whatever that is, scoring, rebounding, assists, not turning it over, defensively, whatever it is ... that’s what it’s going to take.”

The Miami Heat have completed a series of roster moves. Dru Smith was signed from his two-way contract to a two-year standard contract. Cole Swider was converted from his Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way deal. Miami completed their roster moves by waiving Justin Champagnie and Cheick Diallo.

Smith spent part of last season on a two-way deal with the Heat. He also played with the Brooklyn Nets for past of last season.

Swider played for the Los Angeles Lakers last season on a two-way deal.

Haywood Highsmith will miss opening night of the regular season due to an MCL sprain.

Highsmith will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

An MRI on Josh Richardson's foot returned negative. Richardson is currently day to day. 

The Miami Heat have waived Drew Peterson and Alondes Williams. Peterson and Williams were both signed to non-guaranteed training camp contracts.

Both Peterson and Williams will likely join Miami's G League Affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce for the upcoming season.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux), Nekias Duncan of The Dunker Spot podcast (@NekiasNBA) and Mike Prada of The Athletic (@MikePradaNBA) break down the NBA’s Southeast Division.

They discuss how the Heat, Magic, Wizards, Hornets and Hawks fared in the off-season, including which teams improved and what moves stood out. The three also predict the season to come, including projected finish, breakout players and rookies they are most excited to see.

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The Portland Trail Blazers were not interested in a trade for Damian Lillard built around Tyler Herro, so he is remaining with the Miami Heat in Year 1 of a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

“I didn’t want to go to Portland, so I’m glad Portland didn’t want me,” Herro said in a tone more of resignation to an offseason of doubt. “I just don’t want to be in Portland. So it’s not personal with Portland, at all.

“I’m just happy to be on the court. I haven’t played since April. I broke my hand and I haven’t played since then, so I’m ready to play.”

The value of Herro to the Heat came into question as they went on a run to the Finals without him in the lineup.

“My value maybe has decreased in people’s eyes,” he said, “but I’m a better player than I was last year, so there’s no way my value has decreased.”

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro is aware he was in trade rumors involving Damian Lillard all summer. But Herro said those trade talks have only motivated him going into this season.

“Honestly, my goal this year is to get my name untouchable. That’s my goal,” Herro said. “At the end of this season, they won’t want to trade me. That’s my goal.”

Herro said that after Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks that he talked to Heat president Pat Riley and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Those conversations gave him clarity on where he stands in Miami.

“It’s the process of me coming back and being open to this,” Herro said. “I’m happy I’m here, I’m grateful I’m here. I understand it’s a business.”

The Miami Heat were the preferred trade destination of Damian Lillard and though his trade market with other teams was slow to materialize, they were not expecting a deal for him to eventually come. The Blazers traded Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks shortly before the start of training camp.

"I don't think it was a surprise to them that they didn't get Damian Lillard," said ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. "From what I've been told, they didn't have many substantive conversations with the Portland Trail Blazers about Damian Lillard all summer long. Probably, the most substantive conversation they had was right after Summer League. So it wasn't a surprise when he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

"They had been planning for life without Damian Lillard, without this option coming to fruition because there simply wasn't an engagement from the Portland Trail Blazers with the Miami Heat.

"The Heat had been planning to be without Damian Lillard and not have that come around all summer long."

The Miami Heat have exercised their 2024-25 rookie scale team option for Nikola Jovic. Teams have until October 31 to pick up rookie scale options for members of the 2021 and 2022 first-round draft classes.

As a rookie, Jovic saw limited NBA action. He averaged 5.5 points in the 15 NBA games he played. Jovic was a standout at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, playing for Serbia. He averaged 10.1 points and shot 56.6% from the field, including 42.3% on three-pointers. The 20-year-old is seen a key developmental player for the Heat entering this season.