Heat eyeing Trey Lyles, other bigs to bolster frontcourt

The Heat are still tinkering with the roster, and now their frontcourt looks a little thin.

After sending Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah in last month’s three-team deal, Miami followed up Friday by trading Haywood Highsmith to Brooklyn in what amounted to a salary dump. That leaves Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jovic as the primary options at the four and five.

According to Grant Afseth of FastbreakJournal.com, the Heat are already exploring ways to bolster the front line. Free agents Trey Lyles and Kai Jones are among the names being considered. Jones reportedly impressed Miami this week with his energy and activity during workouts, per Afseth.

Lyles is a 10-year veteran who was a lottery pick in 2015. He has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Kings and averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 34 percent on threes in 19.6 minutes over 69 appearances last season.

Jones is younger and more of a wild card. The 24-year-old center played for both the Clippers and Mavericks last year, putting up 5.0 points and 3.1 boards in 11.7 minutes a night while shooting nearly 80 percent from the floor.

The former 19th overall pick of the 2021 draft offers length, athleticism and upside that Miami seems intrigued by.

As Afseth pointed out, the two big men bring different skill sets. Lyles is more of a proven depth piece while Jones could give the Heat a high-energy presence who still has room to grow. Either one could help stabilize the rotation as the season approaches.

Trading Highsmith not only moved Miami below the luxury tax line, it also opened up a roster spot.

That 14th slot could go to Lyles or Jones, though the Heat are said to be considering several possibilities. Miami is unlikely to add a 15th man before the opener given the tax situation.