Mar 31, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) reacts with center Bam Adebayo (13), and guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) during the third quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Dan LeBatard Says Miami Heat, Pat Riley Owe Fans An Explanation For Roster

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Branson Brooks | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 3:08 PM ET

Miami Heat fans are growing uneasy as the rest of the league continues to reshape around them.

The most significant move the Heat have made this free agency period is trading away fan favorite Duncan Robinson in exchange for Simone Fontecchio. Although Fontecchio shows potential, parting with one of the franchise’s greatest shooters for an unproven role player isn’t sitting well with most Heat fans.

On The Dan Le Batard Show, the former ESPN host emphasized the Heat fan base lacks confidence in the current roster and fears a repeat of last season.

"The fan base in Miami doesn't want to keep going with a roster that they know is not good enough and the roster looks and feels stale," Le Batard said. "I will not believe that this is what will head into the playoffs."

The Miami Heat are at a tipping point with their fan base pic.twitter.com/Nh8VHKGeEz
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 2, 2025

If Miami continues to stay quiet during free agency, they’ll need their young players to step up in order to make noise next season.

All-Stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro need to solidify themselves as one of the top one-two punches in the Eastern Conference.

Forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. will be expected to become a more consistent all-around scorer while also improving on the defensive end. Guard Nikola Jović will need to take his offensive output up a notch on a night-to-night basis. Meanwhile, center Kel’el Ware must develop into a premier big man the Heat can rely on for interior production on both ends of the floor.

Additionally, rookie Kasparas Jakucionis must adjust quickly to the league as the Heat are in dire need of a primary ball-handler to initiate offense.

Learning curves are inevitable, but Miami's young talent has the potential to fill the roles fans hoped would be addressed through free agency.