​MIAMI, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 06: Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings drives against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on December 06, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 20: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat reacts following the Heat’s 128-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) GettyThe Miami Heat’s search for additional perimeter scoring will not include waiting for Zach LaVine to reach the open market.LaVine had been linked to Miami earlier in the offseason as a possible option if the Sacramento Kings released him. The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang identified the two-time All-Star as a name to monitor if he became available, while subsequent reports raised the possibility of Sacramento buying out or waiving and stretching his expiring contract.That pathway has now been closed.The Kings have no interest in buying out the final year of LaVine’s contract, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported. LaVine exercised his $48.9 million player option and is expected to hold a significant role in Sacramento’s rotation.“Nothing appetizing enough materialized and LaVine opted in, leaving him as a big-ticket expiring contract entering the season,” Slater wrote. “The Kings have no interest in buying out his contract, and he’s expected to be a major part of the rotation entering the season.”The decision effectively removes LaVine as an affordable free-agent option for Miami. Acquiring him now would require a trade and enough outgoing salary to match his enormous contract.Miami Still Needs Scoring After Tyler Herro, Norman Powell DeparturesGetty Tyler Herro departed the Miami Heat as the headliner in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade package.Miami’s offseason produced the transformational move the organization had pursued for years.The Heat acquired two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in a package that included Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakučionis and significant draft compensation.The move gave Miami another franchise star alongside Bam Adebayo, but it also removed one of its primary perimeter creators. Herro averaged 20.5 points and 4.1 assists in 33 games last season.Norman Powell then signed a two-year, $45 million contract with Chicago after averaging a team-leading 21.7 points and earning his first All-Star selection.Together, Herro and Powell supplied 42.2 points per game and much of Miami’s pull-up shoot