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The Miami Heat are exploring ways to support Tyler Herro more effectively, and the latest NBA Mock Draft from Kyle Boone has them taking a promising step.
According to the projections, French point guard Nolan Traore is slated to land with Miami at the No. 20 pick. The move suggests a strategic effort to bring more creativity and ball-handling to the backcourt.
Miami’s New Backcourt Fit?
Traore averaged 11.7 points and over five assists, offering a mix of playmaking and ball control. His ability to handle the offense could allow Herro more freedom to work off the ball, something the Heat have experimented with in recent seasons.
“Love the idea of Miami adding playmaking to its roster and love the idea, specifically, of Traore with the Heat,” Boone commented.
The Heat are known for developing young talent and fitting players into a strong team culture. Traore’s crafty game and unselfish style may fit well with the team’s identity.
Though his three-point shooting hovered around 31%, scouts believe the mechanics are solid and there's room for growth. His size at 6-foot-4 also gives Miami more versatility in guard matchups on defense.
With the Heat seeking more offensive efficiency, especially in late-game sets, Traore’s arrival could mark a shift in how Miami structures its playmaking. Herro has shown he can be a dynamic scorer, but giving him a reliable facilitator could elevate his game.
This potential pairing reflects Miami’s continued investment in building a more balanced roster. Drafting a primary ball-handler like Traore, even with some growing pains, aligns with the Heat’s long-term vision of developing talent around their current core.
If things go as projected, Miami could be setting up Herro to thrive in a system that better suits his strengths, scoring with less pressure to initiate.
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NBA Rumors: Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes, Russell Westbrook, free agency
Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency continues to drag on, leaving the Warriors in limbo. Golden State recently made a new three-year offer to their 22-year-old forward, but his agent has already said that taking the $8 million qualifying offer remains a real possibility. Until this gets resolved, the Warriors are stuck. They’ve been connected to veterans Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II, along with names like Seth Curry and Cody Martin, but those deals can’t get finalized until Kuminga’s situation is clear. Golden State technically only has 10 players under contract — the fewest in the league — and still has two unsigned draft picks (Alex Toohey and Will Richard) along with two-way RFA Taran Armstrong hanging out there. Grimes and the Sixers Quentin Grimes is another restricted free agent still waiting. Unlike Kuminga, there hasn’t been much noise around his talks with Philadelphia lately. The Sixers clearly like him, but time is running short with the October 1 qualifying offer deadline looming. Westbrook and the Kings Russell Westbrook remains the most decorated unrestricted free agent still on the market. Sacramento has been his only real link so far, but the Kings have been hesitant to make other moves while they keep an eye on Kuminga’s RFA process. A resolution there could open the door for Westbrook. Achiuwa Watch Precious Achiuwa surprisingly remains unsigned. He turned 26 this summer and has been on the radar for both EuroLeague teams and NBA clubs. Panathinaikos showed interest before pivoting to Richaun Holmes, while Miami has been linked but is limited by the tax line. Other UFAs There are still a handful of familiar NBA names floating around: Ben Simmons (who has considered retirement), Monte Morris, Cameron Payne, Malik Beasley (still tied to a gambling probe), Alec Burks, Mo Bamba and Thomas Bryant. Training camps are less than two weeks away, and jobs are scarce.
Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.
Cowboys rookie standout expected to miss extensive time
The Cowboys lost two offensive starters to high ankle sprains in Week 3. In addition to CeeDee Lamb going down, Tyler Booker will not be available to the team for the foreseeable future. Booker is expected to miss at least three weeks because of the high ankle malady he sustained in Chicago, AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill reports. ESPN.com’s Todd Archer pegs the timetable at 4-6 weeks. The latter duration being where this settles would make the first-round pick an IR candidate. Tyler Booker injury is another bad break for Dallas Cowboys This represents another bad break for the Cowboys, who have center Cooper Beebe on IR. Brought in after Zack Martin‘s retirement, Booker started at right guard in Dallas’ first three games. The injury also comes after second-year left tackle Tyler Guyton — the team’s 2024 first-round pick — missed several weeks due to a knee injury sustained early in training camp. Guyton returned in time for Week 1 but continues to see new faces along the O-line. IR is a possibility for both Lamb and Booker, Jerry Jones said (via WFAA’s Ed Werder). This comes after a report indicated Lamb was not an IR candidate. An IR transaction would sideline either until Week 8. Booker played through the injury but will take a seat for a while. If the Cowboys are planning on carrying Lamb on their 53-man roster, a Booker IR move would make more sense. Two of Dallas’ injury activations went to Jonathan Mingo and Payton Turner in August. The team will likely hold another for Beebe, and rookie running back Phil Mafah also landed on IR shortly after roster-cutdown day. These placements would stand to factor into the Cowboys’ decision with Booker. Weeks after the Martin news, the Cowboys drafted Booker at No. 12 overall. Sporting a keen eye for first-round talent over the past several years, the Cowboys only placed 12 first-round grades on prospects this year. This led to the team staying at 12 and taking Booker, doing so after previously eyeing Tetairoa McMillan. The Cowboys identified four All-Pro O-linemen (Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Martin, Tyler Smith) in Round 1 from 2011-22, and they will hope Booker — now opposite a guard-record contract given to Tyler Smith — will follow that path. The Cowboys have 2023 UDFA T.J. Bass and waiver claim Trevor Keegan as options to replace Booker. Bass would seemingly be the more likely option, having started five games from 2023-24 and having played in all three Cowboys contests this season. Keegan has not played this year.
Ravens’ Bateman primed for strong outing vs. Lions’ defense
Ravens wide receiver draws favorable matchup in Monday Night Football Baltimore, Maryland — Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman steps into one of his most favorable matchups of the season tonight against the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football. Detroit leans heavily on man-to-man coverage, and Bateman’s skill set — creating separation and winning one-on-one battles — positions him to take advantage. The Lions’ defense has struggled to consistently clamp down on receivers without safety help. Bateman’s quick release off the line, sharp route running, and ability to break open mid-route give Baltimore a reliable weapon against this type of coverage. With Lamar Jackson commanding attention as both a passer and runner, Bateman should find himself in advantageous alignments where he can exploit single coverage. Sportsbooks have set Bateman’s receiving yards line between 37.5 and 39.5 yards, with most placing it at 37.5. That number reflects modest production, but Bateman’s role and matchup suggest he has a strong chance of clearing it. Even with limited targets through the first two weeks, his snap share and route participation have been steady. Against a Lions secondary vulnerable to isolation plays, a few well-timed connections could put him over the line in just a handful of catches. The anytime touchdown scorer odds for Bateman sit at +230 across several major books. That translates to a $100 wager returning $230 in profit if Bateman finds the end zone. Given Baltimore’s tendency to attack mismatches near the red zone and Bateman’s ability to create separation in tight spaces, the play carries significant appeal. His physicality at the catch point also makes him a reliable target on slants and fades when Baltimore gets close to the goal line. The combination of a low receiving line and favorable touchdown odds highlights Bateman’s potential impact. His strengths line up directly with Detroit’s defensive tendencies, giving Baltimore a clear opportunity to feature him. If Jackson looks Bateman’s way early, it would not take much volume for the receiver to make a decisive mark on the stat sheet. This game carries shootout potential, which only boosts Bateman’s case. A higher tempo and more passing attempts increase the likelihood he sees additional targets. If the Ravens spread the field and stress Detroit’s secondary, Bateman is positioned to capitalize. For bettors, the Over 37.5 receiving yards stands out as one of the stronger plays on the board. The number is well within reach for a receiver with Bateman’s ability to separate and convert high-value routes. Pairing that with the +230 anytime touchdown odds offers even more upside in what could be a breakout night. Tonight, the matchup gives Rashod Bateman every opportunity to outperform expectations — both on the field and at the sportsbooks.
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