Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new wingman in Miami.

ESPN, NBA on Prime and The Athletic reported Tuesday that Tim Hardaway Jr. will sign with the Miami Heat. ESPN reported that the deal is for one year and $6.5 million for Hardaway Jr., one of the league’s most dangerous long-range shooters.

Hardaway agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Heat, sources said. Miami officials finalized the deal with Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tonight. https://t.co/c47Tx4D1KX

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026

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Hardaway Jr. averaged 13.5 points per game and shot 40.7% on 3-pointers last year in his first season with the Denver Nuggets. He led all reserves with 205 3-pointers made last year and was awarded a third-place finish in the league’s 6th Man of the Year Award.

The 34-year-old swingman, son of Hall of Fame point guard Tim Hardaway, has played for five teams in his 13-year career. Hardaway Jr. is a career 36.5% shooter on 3-pointers, and he’s averaged 2.3 3s made per game in 893 career games.

Jeff Hafley became the 12th full-time head coach in Miami Dolphins history following the firing of Mike McDaniel in January.

Most of the previous coaches began their careers with a decent roster to work with. That isn’t the case for Hafley, who, like Brian Flores, will begin his NFL career with a gutted roster full of question marks but a better hope for the future.

Hafley will be safe in his job for at least three seasons, barring something unforeseen. Stephen Ross likes the direction the team is heading, and he understands that patience is needed. In 2019, his patience with Flores was quickly lost for many reasons.

Hafley will face one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this year. He isn’t likely to get off to a quick start in his coaching career. Looking at other former Dolphins’ coaches, it will be interesting to see how he stacks up, despite the roster.

Jeff Hafley has a tough road to make a first year impact as the Miami Dolphins head coach

Cam Cameron – 0-13

To be fair to Cameron, he did open his first and only season as the Dolphins’ HC with an overtime loss to the then Washington Redskins. Cameron started with 13 consecutive losses before beating the Ravens two weeks before the end of the season. Six of his losses were by three points.

Brian Flores – 0-7

Flores and the Dolphins’ management team gutted the roster. The epic 2019 rebuild never materialized on the field, but the Dolphins were not expected to do much that season. Flores’ hardliner decisions were a huge change to the previous coaching staff, eventually wearing thin.

The Dolphins managed to finish the year with five wins, which was a bigger accomplishment than many had believed possible. This is the season that Hafley will be compared to the most. He is inheriting the same level of roster experience, with a tough schedule. Five wins would be an exceptional start.

George Wilson – 0-5

Wilson spent the majority of his career coaching the NFL’s Detroit Lions before switching to the AFL’s Dolphins. He would spend three years coaching the Dolphins, but his first season wouldn’t see a victory until week six against the Broncos. Wilson lost his first five games, with the closest being a 5-point loss in week two to the Jets. Miami would beat the Broncos and Oilers in back-to-back weeks, then beat the Oilers again in the final game of the season, to finish 3-11.

Tony Sparano – 0-2

In what remains one of the best turnarounds in NFL history, Sparano inherited Cameron’s 1-11 roster. He led the Dolphins to an AFC East title and the playoffs in his first season, but he didn’t get off to a great start early.

Sparano’s Dolphins lost their first two games, but the implementation and debut of the WildCat would change their fortunes. Miami won nine of its final 10 games to finish 11-5.

Adam Gase – 0-2

Gase was supposed to be the next offensive genius. For a short time, he appeared to be heading in the direction of proving everyone right. The Dolphins got off to a slow start in his first season, eventually finishing 10-6. Miami took second place in the AFC East and earned a playoff spot, but the Dolphins lost in the Wild Card round to the Steelers.

Joe Philibin – 0-1

The start of Joe Philbin’s career in Miami was much like his final year, uninspiring. Miami lost their first game, but managed to turn the season into something promising. They finished 7-9, but had opportunities. Philbin wasn’t a bad coach; he just wasn’t a good one either.

Dave Wannstedt – 0-1

Wannstedt had the rare privilege of taking over a well-built roster. After spending a season working under Johnson as a Dolphins coach, he took over after Johnson abruptly retired from the league. He would win his first game, lose his second, and then run off four consecutive wins. Miami won the AFC East in 2000 and advanced to the playoffs, where they lost to the Raiders. They finished 11-5.

Don Shula – 0-1

Shula got off to a fast start after leading the Colts to Super Bowl III. The loss to the Jets was the catalyst for his departure. In Miami, Shula would become a legend. Taking over for Wilson, Shula lost his first game as the Dolphins’ HC.

The 27-14 drubbing of the Boston Patriots would lead to a four-game winning streak, followed by a three-game losing streak. In traditional Shula fashion, the Dolphins would turn it all around and run off six straight victories, earning them their first playoff appearance in franchise history with a 10-4 record.

Jimmy Johnson – 3-0

Many fans believed it was time for a coaching change, and so did owner Wayne Huizenga. Shula retired, and Johnson was the big-name hire. Johnson wasn’t able to develop the Dolphins into a dynasty as he did with the Cowboys; in fact, he couldn’t get them deep into the playoffs.

To a lesser degree, Johnson began making wholesale changes to the Dolphins roster to build it in his own vision. His first season was an average .500 at 8-8, but his quick start had fans believing the right decision was made. Johnson’s team won three straight to kick off the coach’s career in Miami, but they would only win five games the rest of the year.

Mike McDaniel – 3-0

McDaniel was the complete opposite of Flores. He inherited a good football team in need of direction. He was another offensive guru who didn’t come in kicking down doors like Flores, but instead brought a youthful energy that the players immediately gravitated toward.

Under McDaniel, the Dolphins would rattle off 9 wins and squeak into the playoffs, where they lost to the Bills by three, without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. McDaniel’s exuberance was greatly needed, but as the seasons continued, his energy wasn’t enough to win games when the players needed more discipline. McDaniel couldn’t find the right balance between the two.

Bradley Beal is reportedly a free agent after declining his player option to return to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat have been linked to him with the start of NBA free agency looming.

Miami is looking to add floor spacers following its trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Beal fits the bill as he’s a career 37.6% shooter from beyond the arc and would provide the team with a lot of experience.

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MORE: Projecting the 2026 Milwaukee Bucks starting lineup after Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Underdog NBA shared the update reported by NBA Prime’s Chris Haynes on X. However, fans expressed skepticism about his fit and what he would bring to the franchise.

“Bradley Beal about to scam the Miami Heat like he did the Phoenix Suns and the LA Clippers,” one fan wrote.

“He said watch out like if Beal is still a good player,” a comment read.

“not a soul is worried about where bradley beal is going. we waiting on the jaylen brown trade,” one user said.

“That’s suppose to scare the Celtics ?” posted another.

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“How can any team want this dude?” a comment read.

“Their whole team will be over 30 years old at this rate,” another fan commented.

Beal signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Clippers on July 18, 2025. However, he played only six games last season as doctors performed a season-ending surgery to repair a hip fracture.

Bradley Beal’s career stats

The 33-year-old is coming off a major injury and hasn’t played a full season since 2018-19. However, he last received All-Star honors in 2021 and could still be a solid contributor if given ample playing time. Beal averages 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.1 3PM in his career.

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He could sign a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal, which would give him a chance to secure a more lucrative contract if he performs well. A low-risk, high-reward scenario will work well for Miami as it maneuvers its salary cap situation.