By Joel Perez 
For any South Florida sports fan, 2025 has been a rollercoaster, to say the least. Over the past
few days, both the Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins have seen their respective
superstars—arguably their best players—express a desire to move on and seek other
opportunities.
After what seems to have been his last game as a Miami Dolphin—a brutal loss to division rival
New York Jets—Tyreek Hill said, “I just gotta do what’s best for me and my family. If that’s here
or wherever the case may be, I’m finna open that door for myself. I’m opening the door. I’m out,
bro.”
As a heartbroken Dolphins fan, it’s devastating to see Hill, the most talented player to wear the
number 10 for Miami—and arguably the most dangerous offensive weapon in the game
today—wanting to leave. Teams have to completely change their defensive approach because
of him. Outside of Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson, there isn’t a player as impactful. But I
digress. Tyreek wants out, and this season feels like the beginning of the end for this core
group.
If Hill leaves and starts with another team next year, it likely means significant roster changes.
That could even include the potential trade or release of Jalen Ramsey, and honestly, that would
crush me. I was so hyped when the Dolphins acquired Ramsey that my best friend bought me a
number 5 Jalen Ramsey jersey. As much as I’m a fan of his, even I can admit this wasn’t his
most dominant season. That’s not a knock on Ramsey—it’s just the unfortunate reality of a
defense decimated by injuries.
Both of Miami’s premier pass rushers missed most of the season with torn ACLs. Bradley
Chubb was out for all of 2024 after tearing his ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon on
December 31, 2023. Jaelan Phillips, who was coming back from a torn Achilles suffered midway
through last season, managed only four games in 2024 before tearing his ACL in a loss to the
Buffalo Bills.
As much as I’d love to avoid the subject of Tua Tagovailoa and where the Dolphins go from
here, it wouldn’t be right to ignore such a glaring issue. Tua is incredible when he’s on the
field—the offense clearly takes a leap, at least from the eye test. He showed flashes of brilliance
and made some impressive plays this season, but with what seems to be a dysfunctional,
run-heavy, and screen-pass-focused offense, success is going to be hard to come by under
those circumstances.
Looking ahead to next season, Tua will need to make some adjustments, especially given his
injury history and durability concerns. He has to prove he can win in big moments. If he doesn’t,
Miami will have a lot to discuss after next season, not just about Tua, but about the coaching
staff and the team’s overall structure.
It hasn’t been pretty for the Dolphins—frankly, it hasn’t been for most of my lifetime. But I grew
up loving this team and will continue to, even if it means suffering along the way, as I always
have. We keep pushing. #PhinsUp!!!
As for the other sports team in the same city, the Miami Heat just suffered a grueling
double-overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings after blowing a 17-point lead with only eight
minutes left in the fourth quarter. Tyler Herro was the lone bright spot for the Heat in the first
half, seemingly the only player able to score. Unfortunately, he became the Kings’ main
defensive focus in the second half and both overtime periods. Keegan Murray, who seems to be
Sacramento’s best defensive player, put the clamps on Herro with tenacious defense and
grabbed critical offensive rebounds that propelled the Kings to victory.
Jaime was a standout for the Heat, earning a triple-double and taking on the role of primary
playmaker down the stretch after Herro was effectively neutralized by the Kings’ defensive game
plan. Bam contributed across the board with four steals and some crucial rebounds, but he
missed a key free throw late in the game. Jaime also missed two crucial free throws down the
stretch, which only added to the heartbreak.
Last night’s loss stung, but not as much as Saturday’s humiliating 36-point defeat to the Utah
Jazz, a team that’s 8-25 and clearly tanking for a top draft pick. Losing to Utah is bad
enough—but losing by 36? That’s downright embarrassing! These two losses haven’t just been
tough to swallow—they’ve been insufferable.
On top of that, the ongoing Jimmy Butler situation seems to be weighing heavily on the entire
team, casting a shadow over everything. Ever since news broke of his suspension and
subsequent trade request, things haven’t been good for the Heat. As fans, all we can do is hope
this blows over and the team somehow pulls off a magical turnaround. Whatever happens with
Jimmy Butler, I just hope it gets resolved quickly.
I have no desire to trade Jimmy Butler—I simply don’t see any return package offering the same
level of immediate impact he brings to the table. The usual trade rumors link him to the Warriors,
but I don’t see a realistic scenario where Miami and Golden State figure out a deal unless
Jonathan Kuminga is included, and even that seems unlikely. There’s also been chatter about
Memphis, but the predicted package—Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, and
maybe a first-round pick—just doesn’t feel like enough for Jimmy, at least in my opinion.
The Suns are an interesting option, but I can’t imagine Miami taking on Bradley Beal’s massive
contract. Beal is owed $160 million over the next three seasons, and that financial burden
wouldn’t make sense for any contending team, let alone the Heat.
With all that said, we may need to brace for the worst. Jimmy’s trade market doesn’t seem
robust, and I don’t see the Heat getting a return they’d be satisfied with—unless, by some
miracle, they pull off a three-team deal and somehow land De’Aaron Fox from the Kings. But
honestly, that’s nothing more than a fever dream.
I’m staying hopeful, but it’s been incredibly tough as a fan of both the Heat and the Dolphins to
start 2025. Let’s see what the next few weeks bring as the NBA trade deadline approaches in
February, and let’s also pray the Dolphins find a way to convince Tyreek Hill to stay. Oh man,
what a time to be a Miami sports fan.
Kevin Gonzalez 
Angel Rivera