NBA Rumors: 3 Miami Heat Players Who Won't Be Back Next Season

After the Miami Heat suffered the most lopsided playoff series loss in NBA history, they will be making changes. Here are 3 players who likely won't be back next season.

The Miami Heat's post-Jimmy Butler era is not off to a great start. The team was unceremoniously humiliated in a four-game sweep in the first round of the playoffs at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Changes are a comin', and we'll start by having a look at which Heat players won't be back for next season.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes this summer,” Miami big man Bam Adebayo said after their near-history making 55-point loss in Game 4 (138-83). “Just from my point of view, understanding how the guy with the silver hair works. Just be prepared for that.”

That guy with the silver hair is, of course, Pat Riley, the team president. There'll be trades, free agent signings, and even buyouts, so let's begin with a list of three players who likely won't return in 2025-26.

Has Kevin Love seen his last days in Miami?

Kevin Love

It's been a nice run in South Beach for Love, but at 36, his leadership on a contending team is no longer needed here. He's now just a bit player, at 10 minutes a game this season, averaging a career-low 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. The Heat would do well, both by him, and for their bottom line, to move Love and his $4.1M owing next season to a contender.

Duncan Robinson

This wouldn't be the first time that Robinson's tenure in Miami was in question, but now, as the team looks to rebuild, they should definitely be in the market to offload his $19.9M owed in the final year of his contract for 2025-26. And if they can't find a taker, they could even consider waiving him before July 8th, which is when the full amount becomes guaranteed. Before that date, the Heat are only on the hook for $9.9M.

Or perhaps Robinson beats them to the punch, and exercises his Early Termination Option by June 29th to become a free agent. One way or another, it doesn't seem like Robinson will be returning.

Andrew Wiggins

The Heat have desires on trading for a superstar, and to do that, they'll need some big money to send out in return for salary-matching purposes. Wiggins' $28M for next season would come in awfully handy in a swap for a player of significant magnitude. Wiggins played well in his 17 games with the Heat, averaging 19 points and playing solid defense. But he missed nearly half of the 31 games he was in town for, after being acquired at the trade deadline in the Butler deal.

Certainly, changes will need to be made after the Heat suffered the most lopsided playoff series loss in NBA history. Pat Riley will not be sitting on his hands this summer.