TITLE: Heat evaluating Kai Jones as luxury tax limits options; Herro extension window nears
SLUG: heat-evaluating-jones-herro-extension-window
CONTENT:
Free agent center Kai Jones worked out for the Miami Heat this week, but salary-cap considerations make it unlikely the former first-round pick will secure a roster spot to open the 2025-26 season, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
Tax crunch clouds Jones’ chances
Miami sits just above the luxury-tax threshold and is expected to fill its final roster slot with a two-way contract rather than a standard deal. Because Jones, 24, has exhausted his two-way eligibility, any offer from the Heat would likely be a non-guaranteed training-camp contract. Jones is also drawing “serious interest” from Italian club Virtus Bologna, which can provide guaranteed money and a larger role, raising questions about whether a camp invite from Miami would appeal to him.
Herro extension window opens Oct. 1
Guard Tyler Herro becomes eligible for a three-year extension worth up to $149.7 million from Oct. 1-20. A scout told the Sun Sentinel that, in a vacuum, Herro is a better player than recently extended guards De’Aaron Fox (four-year max) and Mikal Bridges (four years, $150 million). Miami must weigh Herro’s value against his defensive shortcomings and the long-term cost of pairing him with Bam Adebayo. Waiting until next summer could be expensive for both sides because Herro would qualify for an even richer deal, making a compromise this fall possible.
Johnson could benefit from Highsmith injury
With forward Haywood Highsmith recovering from surgery on a torn right meniscus, second-year forward Keshad Johnson is in line for additional preseason minutes. Johnson saw limited NBA action as a rookie in 2024-25 while spending most of the year in the G League. Highsmith’s availability for opening night remains uncertain.
Spoelstra prioritizing practice over preseason
Head coach Erik Spoelstra is not expected to base major lineup decisions on Miami’s six preseason games. According to the Sun Sentinel, the staff will place greater emphasis on training-camp practices than exhibition performances when setting the rotation.
Only five national TV games on new schedule
The NBA’s 2025-26 schedule, released Thursday, lists the Heat for just five nationally televised contests, tied for the eighth-fewest league-wide, The Miami Herald noted.
Source: Hoops Rumors
