Heat Declining Team Option On Jahmir Young

The 25-year-old spent all of last season with Miami, primarily on a two-way contract. He was promoted to a standard deal right before the ’25/26 regular season ended, but his salary for ’26/27 was non-guaranteed.

After having his option declined, Young could technically be a restricted free agent if the Heat tender him a qualifying offer, but that QO would be worth more than the $2.4MM option, so that’s almost certainly not happening.

According to Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link), there’s a chance Young could return to the Heat, but it would be on another two-way deal or some other type of non-guaranteed contract.

After going undrafted out of Maryland in 2024, Young spent his rookie season on a two-way contract with the Bulls. The 6’0″ guard barely played at the NBA level and that was true again in year two with the Heat: he received 58 minutes over 14 total appearances.

While his NBA role has been very modest, Young thrived at the G League level with the Skyforce. In 25 regular season contests (38.1 minutes per game) for the Skyforce in 2025/26, he averaged 26.0 points, 8.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals on .471/.376/.815 shooting splits.

Young named the G League’s Player of the Month in January and earned a spot on the All-NBAGL Second Team for his play with Sioux Falls.

It’s worth noting that Young’s option was about the same salary as a player on a veteran’s minimum deal projects to be worth next season. The Heat will undoubtedly be targeting win-now help with their roster spots after agreeing to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.