Latest news with #ErikSpoelstra
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heat Being Linked to Damian Lillard After Bucks' Decision to Waive Him
Heat Being Linked to Damian Lillard After Bucks' Decision to Waive Him originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat have emerged as a potential destination for superstar guard Damian Lillard following the Milwaukee Bucks' unexpected decision to waive him on Tuesday. Advertisement According to a tweet from ESPN insider Tim Reynolds, the Heat are expected to show interest in the seven-time All-Star, who now holds significant leverage in deciding his next move after the Bucks stretched his remaining $113 million contract to acquire Myles Turner. Lillard's release comes after a challenging tenure with the Bucks where a torn Achilles tendon sidelined him, prompting the Bucks to pivot their roster strategy. Now a free agent with no rush to decide, the 34-year-old guard can rehab and choose his destination on his own terms. For the Heat, this presents a golden opportunity to bolster their lineup with a proven scorer who averaged a remarkable 32.2 points per game during his final season with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022-23. Former Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard looks on during a gameBenny Sieu-Imagn Images Lillard, widely regarded as one of the greatest scoring point guards in the league, has failed mightily in the playoffs, boasting a dismal 24-44 throughout his career along with zero NBA Finals appearances. Advertisement The Heat, a storied franchise that's achieved boatloads of success under president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra, could be the perfect team for Lillard to pursue a championship with. As the basketball world watches, Lillard's next chapter could reignite the Heat's championship aspirations. Fans and analysts alike are buzzing with anticipation—will the Heat land Lillard and reemerge as contenders in the Eastern Conference? Related: Heat Miss Out on Yet Another Offseason Target This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Heat Miss Out on Yet Another Offseason Target
Heat Miss Out on Yet Another Offseason Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Heat's offseason frustrations continue to pile up. This time, it's Nickeil Alexander-Walker slipping through their fingers. Advertisement According to Shams Charania, the 26-year-old guard has agreed to a four-year, $62 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks, a contract that includes a player option and trade kicker. The deal was finalized as part of a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who received a future second-round pick and cash in return. Alexander-Walker had been on Miami's radar as a potential backcourt upgrade, an athletic, two-way wing who could bring defensive versatility and secondary playmaking to a roster in transition. But once again, the Heat stood pat while another team made the aggressive move. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts during a timeout against the Boston Celtics.© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images This marks the latest in a string of near-misses for Miami, who have now struck out on Kevin Durant, Walter Clayton Jr., and now Alexander-Walker—all in the span of a few weeks. With Jimmy Butler gone and the franchise retooling, fans were hoping for a splash. Instead, they're watching other teams get better. Advertisement Alexander-Walker is coming off a career year in Minnesota, where he averaged 9.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 38.1% from three. He also played in all 82 games for the second straight season and was a key contributor during the Timberwolves' run to the Western Conference Finals. For Atlanta, the move adds another versatile piece to a retooled roster that already includes Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, and Zaccharie Risacher. For Miami, it's another reminder that standing still in today's NBA is the same as falling behind. Related: $207 Million Superstar Could Be Trade Target For Miami Heat This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Greg Cote's Poll Dance: What's your level of support for Heat's Pat Riley? Vote now!
Miami Heat president Pat Riley speaks to the media during his season-ending press conference at Kaseya Center on May 9, 2025, in Miami. Note to readers: The Poll Dance and Hot Button Top 10 are taking next Sunday off for the long holiday weekend. See you back here with a new edition of each on July 13! Pat Riley since joining the Miami Heat in 1995, first as head coach and later as club president, has drafted Dwayne Wade, promoted Erik Spoelstra, signed LeBron James, and overseen three NBA championships -- among other successes and accomplishments that over 30 years have made him a towering figure in South Florida sports history. Advertisement But he is not above criticism. Now 80, Riley's Heat have not won it all since 2013, and the misses have outnumbered the hits lately in the whale-hunting category, most recently going after but failing to close a trade for Kevin Durant. I would hope Riley might still have the broad faith and support of most Heat fans. But you also see and hear lots of game-has-passed-him-by rhetoric on social media. So you be the judge, right here. Take our latest Poll Dance and vote for which option best reflects how you feel about Riley today. Vote as many times as you'd like or until your fingers ache. GREG COTE POLL DANCE: ON PAT RILEY:
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA Champion Names ‘Perfect' Spot for Kevin Durant
NBA Champion Names 'Perfect' Spot for Kevin Durant originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a recent discussion on ESPN's "Get Up," 2020 NBA champion Markieff Morris endorsed Miami as the ideal destination for Kevin Durant. Advertisement Morris, who played for the Miami Heat, praised the team's culture and coaching under Erik Spoelstra. "For the little bit of time I played in Miami, that was the best brand of basketball I've been apart of. Spo does a great job of getting the best out of guys and I think that's a perfect spot for him. The East is wide open and he can flourish there" Morris said. He highlighted Spoelstra's ability to maximize player potential, suggesting Durant would thrive in the Heat's system. The Heat's winning culture, combined with players like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, could create a formidable team. Durant, 36, is no stranger to winning basketball, and is coming off a season in which he averaged 26.6 points per game on a stellar 52.7% shooting from the field. Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin DurantRick Scuteri-Imagn Images Spoelstra's system would give Durant a gritty defense to lean back on, something he has lacked greatly in his tenure with the Suns. Advertisement Moreover, with an Eastern Conference that's looked as open as ever after the Pacers marched through it in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Heat could give Durant a chance to get back to the NBA Finals and claim his coveted third title. This endorsement comes as Durant remains a hot topic in trade rumors, with the Suns reportedly close to a deal. Morris's insight, backed by his championship experience, adds a compelling perspective to Durant's potential move, emphasizing Miami's appeal as a basketball haven. Related: Shams Reveals How Close Heat Are to Pulling Off Kevin Durant Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider Suggests 2-Time Champ, Longest-Tenured NBA Coach as Knicks' Next Leader
Insider Suggests 2-Time Champ, Longest-Tenured NBA Coach as Knicks' Next Leader originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Knicks appear to have fired head coach Tom Thibodeau absent an adequate plan to replace him, and the embarrassments have racked up in the aftermath. Advertisement In just a matter of days, five competing teams around the league have denied requests from the Knicks to interview their current head coaches: Dallas Mavericks-Jason Kidd, Houston Rockets-Ime Udoka, Minnesota Timberwolves-Chris Finch, Chicago Bulls-Billy Donovan and Atlanta Hawks-Quin Snyder, per The Athletic. Considering all the swings and misses thus far, Zach Lowe of The Ringer suggested on the Thursday, June 12 edition of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" that the Knicks reach out to the Miami Heat and inquire about interviewing head coach Erik Spoelstra -- widely considered among the best in the league for the last several years. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images "If you were Leon Rose, or whoever is making the calls ... would you even have the guts, the gall, the audacity to call Pat Riley?" Lowe asked Simmons. "Just to do it. Like, 'Hey, we gotta check the [Spoelstra] box. We gotta see. Don't we have to see?'" Advertisement Spoelstra is now the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA after Gregg Popovich left his job leading the San Antonio Spurs' sideline earlier this year following a serious health concern. The Heat hired Spoelstra in April 2008. He has led Miami to six appearances in the NBA Finals and two championship rings over his 17 years at the helm, amassing a career regular-season record of 787-572. While Miami struggled to earn a spot in the first round of playoffs this season, fighting its way to the No. 8 overall seed via the NBA's Eastern Conference play-in tournament only to get swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games, the Knicks earned a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. New York fell two games shy of an NBA Finals appearance, losing to the Indiana Pacers 4-2. The Pacers currently lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1 with Game 4 of scheduled for Friday, June 13, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Related: Knicks Guard Doesn't Hold Back on 'Lame' Critics of Tom Thibodeau This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
