Kevin Durant landed with the Houston Rockets in a seven-team deal that rewired the West and flipped the balance of power for the next couple of seasons. Phoenix collected a bounty of youth and veteran savvy, while Miami’s dream package — Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez, Haywood Highsmith and Kasparas Jakucionis with a high lottery pick — fell short of Phoenix’s price. Durant’s move marks his fifth franchise and cements his place as a player who can immediately lift a contender’s ceiling, even as it creates shifting roles for the Rockets, Suns and Heat. Durant averaged 27-plus points per game across his 17-year run, with MVP credentials and a Hall of Fame résumé, and his presence in Houston instantly makes Jalen Green a secondary scorer of high efficiency. The Heat, while not landing Durant, retain a strong core and a future-forward draft asset pool, setting up a potential return in future summers. The Suns pivot to win-now pieces, laying the groundwork for continued title contention with a mix of established talent and draft capital.

Dru Smith earned a full-time NBA spot with the Miami Heat after converting his two-way contract, but injuries interrupted his 2023-24 season and he was waived at the trade deadline. He’s back this season on a three-year veteran minimum, with the first year fully guaranteed, and optimism around his health as he targets a return to rotation minutes. Smith bridges guard depth with his 3-point shooting and on-ball defense, and his health will be the key to whether he can carve out a steady bench role behind the Heat’s guards.

The Heat field a guard group led by Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, with Terry Rozier and the recently drafted Kasparas Jakucionis in the bullpen behind them. Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware anchor the frontcourt, while reserve big men Kai Jones and Trey Lyles have showcased workout intrigue. The contract and depth picture signal that Miami values both health and shooting, banking on Smith to stay ready for a season that could hinge on minor-rotation opportunities and timely injuries.

From a fantasy lens, Smith is a contingent late-round pickup with 3-point potential and defensive value off the bench. His role depends on health and how quickly he can re-establish chemistry with the unit, especially if Rozier or Jakucionis miss time. If he remains healthy, Smith could provide efficient scoring in limited minutes and defend at a serviceable level, making him a sneaky DFS or late-season stashing option as the Heat balance rest and rotation.

Miami Heat's first-round pick, Kasparas Jakucionis, showcased significant growth during the summer league, displaying his potential despite early struggles. Initially averaging just 4.0 points with poor shooting in the California Classic, he rebounded in Las Vegas, improving to 15.0 points per game while showing his versatility with solid passing and defensive efforts. Assistant coach Eric Glass noted the importance of the learning process for the 19-year-old, who eagerly absorbed coaching and adapted his game.

Jakucionis emphasized a holistic approach to basketball, focusing on contributing beyond mere scoring. His determination to learn from experienced players and coaches reflects a promising mindset for adapting to the NBA's challenges. With a loaded roster on the wing for the Heat, the upcoming months will be critical for him to refine his skills and secure a place in the team's rotation.

The Miami Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis had a challenging outing at the NBA Summer League, stepping into a lead role as the team faced the Detroit Pistons. With key players absent, Jakucionis struggled, finishing with 15 points on 4-of-12 shooting, alongside five rebounds and five turnovers in a 108-88 defeat.

Jakucionis, who was the 20th overall pick, showed flashes of potential but has yet to find consistency. His performance in summer league has been marked by shooting struggles, with only one standout game thus far. The Heat will be looking for more from him if he hopes to secure a spot in the upcoming season's rotation.