Heat Eyeing Warriors’ NBA Champion Defensive Guard After Marcus Smart-Lakers News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Simon | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 7:19 PM ET

The Miami Heat have continued to strike out on key free agents throughout the 2025 NBA offseason.

Despite pulling off a blockbuster 3-team trade with the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz to acquire star scorer Norman Powell, the franchise has yet to add another crucial option from the open market, including future Hall of Fame inductees such as Damian Lillard and Chris Paul.

The Los Angeles Lakers' stunning signing of 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart on Sunday marked yet another missed opportunity to sign a game-changer at the guard position.

Fortunately for Heat team president Pat Riley and the franchise's front office, recent updates from Forbes' Evan Sidery have indicated that the franchise is interested in an energetic defender with NBA Finals D.N.A., Gary Payton II.

"Gary Payton II has generated recent free agent interest from the (Milwaukee) Bucks, Heat, (Los Angeles) Lakers, (Phoenix) Suns, and also a potential return to the (Golden State) Warriors," Sidery shared via X on Tuesday afternoon.

"Payton is one of the best remaining on-ball defenders in free agency."

At 32 years old, Payton II remains one of the most intriguing players left on the open market.

The 2022 NBA champion guard has developed into a premier all-around defensive force, and plenty of contending teams would love to pry the 6-foot-2 game-wrecker away from the Golden State Warriors this offseason.

In 62 appearances and 11 starts for the Warriors in 2024-25, Payton II contributed 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 steals while connecting on 57.4% of his attempts from the field in just 15.0 minutes.

The springy defender possesses unrelenting hustle and grit, making him one of the league's toughest one-on-one matchups for even the deadliest of on-ball scorers at either guard position.

By prospectively signing the experienced, uber-athletic guard, the Heat could form one of the deadliest defensive backcourts in the Association by pairing he and Davion Mitchell together to lead the team's bench rotation.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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