John Hollinger of the Athletic reviewed the 2020 offseason for the Heat and previewed the 2020/21 season for the club, which opened tonight against the Magic in Orlando. Hollinger notes that the team’s 2020 offseason seemed to prioritize future assets over building for the immediate present, despite the fact that Miami made the Finals this season.
The Heat will be able to carve out about $30MM in available cap room for the 2021 offseason, Hollinger projects. Hollinger also expects the team to use its roster, loaded with expiring contracts and intriguing players on cheap contracts, to improve ahead of the playoffs.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- The Hornets have long been waiting to add a new young player capable of generating the kind of buzz a high-upside prospect at the level of rookie point guard LaMelo Ball, the No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft, according to Andrew Carter of The Charlotte Observer. Hornets head coach James Borrego was skeptical that Ball, the youngest son in a famous family, could enthusiastically buy in to the team concept he was hoping to build before a workout convinced him otherwise. “Just a genuine spirit, an authentic spirit,” Borrego said. “He would ask as many questions as we would ask.”
- The Magic are hoping to take the next step in their evolution as a playoff club with the chemistry developed through years of continuity, despite the absence of recently-extended forward Jonathan Isaac, according to Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel.
- The Wizards were apparently so set on drafting rookie forward Deni Avdija that they at one point almost made a deal with the Bulls to move up to the No. 4 pick, but determined the cost was too high, per Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. The Wizards did not anticipate that Avdija would last long enough to be available at No. 9.
Anyone watch the Wizards? Deni didn’t have an impressed stat line even though it lookin like he start. Maybe he did better than the numbers show. I am curous
I watched the game and I was impressed. He was out working everyone to get rebounds and get the ball, was making some nice close shots, had some good defense, and was passing well. It didn’t look like his first NBA game.
Glad to hear. Not a Wizards fan but they have an exciting core, and I prefer to watch competitive teams. You must be happy about monster game from Embiid. And of course always nice to win on opening night
Watched, was very impressed, kinda had some hedo turkoglu with 10 extra lbs – Concur did not look like his first game, his versatility and passing should translate to any new age system – My steal of the draft, I had him 3 on my board
That was the exact comp I gave for him…Basically a Turkoglu that moved around a little better, and that could move with the ball in his hands better..
It was dumb for 8 teams to pass him up, just because they thought he couldnt improve his 3pt shot, and because he was “slow.”
Every recent high lottery pick that has been called “too slow” hasn’t had any troubles at the NBA level. Scouts overrate speed and athleticism tremendously, compared to actual skills and basketball IQ!!
The guy played one game and you ready to get rid of him? How many Arenas have you been in now? Damn. You are a harsh critic. Give the guy a season, or two. I doubt you were a success at age 19.
16 mins, 0 Pts, 1 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl, 0/5 FG,
0/3 (3PT FG), 3 TOV. More Turn Overs than pts.
Yeah let’s get excited Charlotte ….. woo hoo
If you cant handle him at his worst you dont deserve him at his best…
Honestly, Ja Morant broke the mold when it came to rookie PGs. Most take a year or two before you know what they really have and generally don’t contribute to winning their first year.
Meanwhile Wiseman looks like a legit superstar at 19, he looked the way Lebron looked at 19 in game 1. Can’t wait to see more of him, and after Golden State gets all their rotation guys all finally playing together in sync. Warriors are going to need about 20 games to gel together, but when they do, they are gunna be a big problem. Wiseman might really be the next big thing. Losing Klay but gaining another superstar? Did someone say light years?
Legit superstar after 22 minutes? He’s got a long way to go to be a superstar. He has the skills, and foundation, but he is only 19.
Yeah Topin did sooo much better, right? SMH!
22 mins, 9 pts, 3 rebs. I’d say that’s better.
Go back to sniffing Har ens shorts. You don’t want me. I’d say 40% if posters in here said Ball was the 1st pick. Like you I’m guessing. I’m just here to remind folks. Some things take time.
He’s 19 and still growing into his body. Why would you expect more. It took his brother 3 yrs to show something real. Considering he grew 6” in less than two yrs. This could be awhile. I never would of taken him. But I wish him the best.
Great point. Lonzo was terrible his rookie year with the Lakers.
In a few years the Pelicans are going to be a lot better than the Lakers.
Really? Stats say Zo was just as good as the spider in his rookie year, so I can’t see why you guys say Zo didn’t start playing until this year… just pure hate on talent, right?
Don’t you realize how easily you out yourself. I doubt you watch ball. By the way you spout fake facts. You can look it up before you post. I happen to like Lonzo. I think he’s got a real shot a 2way player. Not a fan of his brother. But I understand it will be 3-5 yrs. for real product.
His two yrs Lonzo missed 30 gms each yr. His D wasn’t really there. He wasn’t ready it’s why Bron got rid of him. Lakers wanted to keep Kuzma. That should tell you something. It’s Boring I have to explain it to you. His rookie yr stats 10.2 pts,
7.2 ast, 2.6 TOV, 6.9 reb,..360 %FG, .451 %FT.
YEEEAaaaaaahhhh that looks like ROY stats. That’s what Spida was. Do I need to post his stats too. I don’t have a hate bone in my body. I got talent vision. I just post facts. Most rookies don’t show their true value till after 2-3 yrs in the league. Your the only one with hate. And a need to respond over things you don’t even care about. Lonzo still can’t shoot. But he is a great ast guy and potential to be 1st team D now. Still has to do it every yr. But I have always said I would trade for Lonzo not LaMello. When all the fan boys here thought Knicks were trading for everyone. I would still like Lonzo as my PG. With no drama and no dad
lonzo reminds me of kidd. he’ still improving every year instead of leveling off. anyone would love to have zo on their team.
Most experts said Ball is going to need a few years before he is a NBA star. The competition he played against last year was less than G league talent. Ball doesn’t have a good shot and still needs to develop one. So why is everyone surprised he scored 0 points. that is what you expect from a plyer that has very raw talent.
Lebron is not getting any younger. Harden’s value is going south. Pelicans are creating a solid foundation.
Best three rookies in that class are clearly going to be Wiseman, Haliburton and Avdija.
Don’t sleep on Okoro. He looked good in his debut.
Williams for the Bulls is a dog too..He’s extremely raw, but the kid oozes talent..
If all these 2020 lotto picks turn out to be stars, 2020 will go down in history like 2003…let’s give it a little time, shall we?
Points first game
Edwards 15
Wiseman 19
Ball 0
Williams 16
Okoro 11
cole anthony 6 ast
Ball definitely won’t be ROY… hard to believe so many on here were predicting that a couple weeks ago.
First year is too soon. I was not surprised to see Lamelo usually #1, but ROY?! Toppin will get full access in NY
“an authentic spirit”— I like that from Borrego.
It was a bad debut but you can’t make too much out of one game.
i think what you can take from this is that there are going to be more games like this. he’ll probably be all over the place with his stats for a long time. i’d want consistency game in game out, knowing what you’re bringing everyday, not what you could bring to the game here and there.
I coulda told you BEFORE one game he won’t be ROY.
I’m not saying he sucks or won’t ever be a great – well, good – player. He just won’t be ROY.
Curious, that bit about the Magic, nobody’s idea of offseason success. It’s a valid excuse, but still an excuse:
“The Orlando Magic once again are leaning on roster stability.
The front office sees value in chemistry and continuity, and to a large degree it would seem like a valid approach under the circumstances. The pandemic [has] limited the offseason work of players and kept fans away from arenas.”
A.Cole may have been the perfect pick. Years ago I & others advocated they pick up Isaiah Thomas and let him loose.
cole anthony is going to be the sleeper pick.