With the dog days of summer upon us, the NBA’s offseason news cycle has slowed to a halt. Most of the major free agents have signed new contracts, summer league has passed, and many executives are just returning from post-summer league vacations. Contending teams across the league — particularly in the Eastern Conference — have seemingly improved.
The Celtics added Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari to provide depth behind their elite starting lineup, the Sixers signed P.J. Tucker to add toughness and versatility, and the Bulls bolstered their bench with veterans Goran Dragic and Andre Drummond. The Bucks did their part by standing pat and retaining all their key pieces. The Hawks added Dejounte Murray, and the Raptors shouldn’t be counted out. For as long as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant play, neither should the Nets.
Among the missing teams, of course, is the Heat. Miami finished first in the East last season with a 53-29 record. The team made the conference finals and took the Celtics to seven games despite dealing with several injuries. Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, P.J. Tucker, Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent – six of the top seven in Erik Spoelstra‘s playoff rotation – were all battling health issues during the series.
Miami showed it should be taken seriously. However, with Philadelphia prying Tucker away, a hole remains in the team’s starting group. Veteran forward Markieff Morris is still a free agent. As it stands, Butler will most likely be the team’s starting power forward. With the Sixers getting bigger, Milwaukee sporting a lengthy lineup that features Giannis Antetokounmpo at the four and the Nets potentially going big, trouble may await the Heat if they stand pat.
Many Eastern contenders have the flexibility to play bigger, as well. For example, the Bucks ended their first-round series against the Bulls by playing Antetokoummpo, Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez together, overwhelming Chicago with their size. The team similarly made Miami (and Butler) struggle in the 2021 playoffs due to its length.
The Heat did re-sign Caleb Martin, but at 6’7″, he remains an undersized power forward. Third-string forward Haywood Highsmith is still in the process of proving himself. Miami still has time to trade for a power forward, or it could re-sign a player like Morris, but as it stands, the team is one of the smallest in the league. Unless it commits to playing in transition and blitzing more defensively, it’s hard to foresee another first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
We want to know what you think. How do you view the Heat’s current outlook? If the season started today, who should they start at power forward? Since the team has two open roster spots (one if Udonis Haslem re-signs), which players would you target to help replace Tucker? If the Heat can’t acquire a superstar like Durant, where should they turn to instead? Take to the comments section below and voice your opinions!
I gotta say….
I don’t view the heat as contenders.
Something about their team I just don’t love. Maybe it’s Eric’s coaching style which I’ve never been a fan of.
Maybe it’s their guard play which I’m also not a fan of.
Maybe it’s losing Tucker and not getting anything in return.
But I didn’t even see them as contenders last year either. The league is just too stacked right now and I don’t see them making it past the 2nd or 3rd round.
Interesting take…
I’m assuming it’s a hot one you didn’t think before posting
Poor fan, you must be miserable 2 of the last 3 years if you watch the playoffs
Yah Spo makes men out of boys from the undrafted ranks and GL and is known for having some of the toughest programs
They are who they are and they don’t care what you think
By the way, i dont want to assume, Did you leave something out or are u just a completely objective Miami Heat Hater??
We don’t care if you don’t like our style and I bet the Heat look forward to entertaining you again in 2023 post season
I don’t hate the heat in fact I love both Butler and Adebayo and was rooting for them in both the Hawks and 76ers series last year. I’m just sharing my opinion that I don’t see them as legitimate contenders and I don’t like Spo.
Two weeks ago
Vegas Championship odds
Celtics, Bucks, Warriors and Clippers
Teams need to make huge trade to be contenders
Lakers
Heat
Suns
I don’t know about that. Lakers aren’t going to be contenders. Lebron is extremely talented but they’d be lucky to make the play in. Suns are contenders as long as chemistry works and heat are good for playoffs.
Contenders:
(in my opinion and in no particular order)
Celtics
Bucks
Clippers
Warriors
76ers
Mavs
Suns
Nuggets
For purely basketball reasons, the only possible reason I can see for anyone hating Spo, would be winning only 2 of 4 ‘chips when they had Lebron …….. the 2011 Finals, Lebron checked out on that one, while the 2014 Finals was the Spurs peaking at the right time and hitting an unbelievable spurt.
Other than above, I don’t see any reason one would hate on Spo – he coaches the right way, doesn’t kowtow to stars, develops young and/or undrafted players (which most of the league doesn’t ever even try to do) and he gets the most and wins with whatever line-up he has …….. those post-Lebron years, they also lost Bosh and were living on friggin Richardson, Waiters, Whiteside and Winslow, almost making the 2016 ECF, losing a Game 7 they played without Whiteside & Bosh.
That bubble Finals – the highest drafted player on that team was a 36 year old Igoudala.
These kind of info, ESPN and the mainstream media doesn’t care about, all they want to cover is Lebron, KD and an injury-free WARRIORS team.
@mike I’m just not a fan of his coaching style. That’s it.
Okay. Kinda strange though, not a fan of a coach (his style) widely considered to be the no. 1 head coach the past few years e.g. annual NBA GM surveys, etc
The past decade or so, Spo was hovering within the top 5, but the past few years he was the top (just as Pops and the SPURS finally missed the playoffs).
FYM..That is kinda weird dude
You must have a beef with Spo
He is for sure an ugly mf but he’s a seriously dedicated coach
His family and his job are his life
Other than his looks what don’t you like lol
Love heat culture, love Pat & Spo, but I don’t think questioning their current offseason is outta bounds.
It was/is bad to date, and if they had any appetite for putting Lowry or Robinson on the market to upgrade it certainly wasn’t met by outside parties with much interest
East has gotten better, has Mia?
exactly what i’m saying. in terms of competition are they really gonna be a legitimate contender or just a playoff team with a chance of a run?
I’d say putting yourself in the Eastern Conf every years makes you a contender –
Once you get there a whole set of odd variables are at play and maybe it’s your year to capitalize
I just wasn’t impressed with the offseason tho I had little expectations going in as I don’t view their asset base as that strong ( Even Heat culture prolly dings their first RD picks a tad as other teams always presume them to be in the 20’s)
They’ll most likely be there Rd 2 tho next year and they surely won’t be scared or beneath the moment
EConf semis*
Yes I agree the Heat are in a tough spot right now with the roster. Losing PJ Tucker is a huge loss, just ask the Bucks. Can’t really replace a guy like that. He’s the Draymond Green that the Warriors lean on so heavily for all the toughness and defense and key rebounds and whatever. The dirty work.
Exactly hes a much needed veteran presence that most contenders need. But even before that, I don’t see this team being contenders. I don’t see the chemistry, I don’t see the playoff talent, I don’t see the consistency and I just don’t see them beating other contenders in the East. The West is veryyyy loaded right now but don’t underestimate the East. The entire league is as balanced as it’s ever been and as good as the Heat is at the end of the day they’re just a good team in a league of other good teams. Not quite great like some.
I like Tucker but he’s more of the type of player you trade for at the deadline, not a guy you sign long term.
I thought the Lowry trade for Precious was a stretch. Old & short, 6’0″, for young, tall & promising. Guess Riley figured he might win one quick. Plus Goran was included and he always killed us Celtics. Plus I thought Herro should have started.
If they weren’t hurt last yr. They would’ve been in Finals. PJ is very replaceable.
i think its funny that you say”i don’t see them making it passed the 2nd or 3rd round” how many rounds do you think there are in the playoffs? lol 2nd or 3rd is pretty good since 3rd means your in the finals. thanks for your input tho
Unless the Heat want to go for a bruiser on the free agent market, like James Johnson or Markieff Morris, best available trade options IMO are: Kelly Olynyk (Det), Rui Hachimura (Was), Jaxson Hayes (NO) and KJ Martin (Hou).
what do u propose they use as trading pieces though?
Olynyk (2 yrs) for Duncan Robinson (4 yrs) works straight up salary wise, but Miami would have to add a pick due to the longer contract commitment … For Hachimura or Hayes, Heat would need to give up Jovic along with Highsmith and Yurtseven for salary matching … KJ Martin makes the most sense of all. Houston could use a backup PG and Gabe Vincent fits the bill and matches salary.
Only one of these that makes any sense is KJ Martin, and I dont see how they could get him
Yeah KJ is the only one that makes sense. Maybe yurtseven and a pick? I honestly don’t know, seems like they’re just going to have to run with their current roster unless they make bigger trades such as trading Bam or Jimmy which won’t happen.
All of these suggestions are comically bad trades for the Heat
Miami can make a move. Favors will be cut by OKC. They can trade a pick for Crowder. PHX has a a big cap hot and a cheap owner.
They can’t just cut Derrick Favors as he would cost a lot to buy out, he’s got a $10 million dollar contract. Only way he leaves if if he wants to.
Heat were a Jimmy buckets 3 away from getting to the finals twice in 3 years. Heat are severely underrated. Jimmy finally got his shine this season which is cool. Losing Tucker hurts but I’ve been high on Martin since his UNR days because I’m bias. And for what it’s worth 6’7 is not undersized for a PF
For what it’s worth Caleb Martin is only 6-5.
Real 1s been on “Martin” & his twin since their NC State days
I dont watch college basketball, but I was instantly a Caleb Martin fan the moment I saw him in summer league. I called him a Miami Heat player
I didn’t see the Martin Brothers at NC State but I did see a lot of them at UNR. Tremendous all around skill set on both ends of the floor. Tenacity and willing to take the big shots.
MIA is solid, but I don’t see them as a real title contender. More like a contender to win the East if the more talented teams in the conference don’t play to their talent. MIL, BOS and PHI, in particular, are all, at full strength, more talented than MIA. BKN, right now, is as well.
Most likely between 3-6 seed. Maybe if Lowry and/or VO can regain some of their old form through age and injury, there’s some upside. A trade might change things, but I don’t think they have the trade assets to move the needle much. There are ascending teams in the conference, and they’re not just going to stand still because MIA did.
Posted basically the same comment. They’re a very talented and deep team but they’re not better than Bucks, 76ers, Celtics etc in the post season and maybe even the regular season.
Paul Millsap, Josh Jackson, James Johnson, trevor ariza, Mamadi Diakite, Robert Woodard II, tony snell, DJ Stewart jr, Justin Anderson, juwan morgan are all still out there for them at the 4. Obviously, I would prefer 1 of the first 3 guys…and especially Paul Millsap, who I’ve been asking for for 3 years
Highsmith can handle himself, though I consider him more at the 3/4, and dont see him as a small ball 5 pption, which they still need to replace as well. Really like Days, but you cant count on that. Butler and Strus will be the primary options, as of now, but I really would like them to sign 1 of those first couple of guys, unless a couple of people end up being moved/cut before the regular season elsewhere, for example, Portland and their several options at the 4, and if they get rid of Winslow, that would be a great fit
I dont see any way they can make a trade, at this point. I dont see the salary matching possibilities at all. The only possible deal I could see is a deal for Kevin Durant, which I dont think is going to happen
I like the roster if they can add the 4 they need, and stay relatively healthy for the first time in 9 years
I mean I don’t see it as working out all that well but as of right now Duncan Robinson is listed at starting PF according to ESPN’s Heat depth chart. He’s listed at 6’7″ and 215 lbs. That’s not much smaller than some starting PFs in the league.
My bad, definitely worth questioning due to no real FA signings…gentlemen respect
I’m not sure they’re doing anything else unless they fall into part of a 4-team trade
I’m happy with a Lowry-Herro-Dipo-Butler-Bam starting 5
On paper they’ve never been sexy since Buckets arrived in Miami.
If they make any big moves before TDL I’d be shocked
If all teams are 100% healthy all season I expect Heat to finish at least 4th and at least make conf finals again
Those are good expectations. I think they can make the conf finals or at the very least a game 6 or 7 loss in the second round.
I’d say the Heat’s window for a title was open for a few years, but is closing rather rapidly: esp. if they cannot trade for an upgrade at PF. Without a better 4….Nope!
Miami could sign free agent Blake Griffin to a veterans minimum 1-year contract. They could start undersized Jimmy Butler or Caleb Martin at the four and give Griffin 20-24 minutes per night off the bench. At age 33 Blake still has a little gas left and can space the floor (.327 career 3P %), facilitate some offense (5.3 assist per 100 possessions last year), and rebound better than Butler or Martin (11.5 rebounds per 100 possessions). Haslem might be a locker room guy, but at age 42 his playing days are limited. Miami should offer him a coaching position.
He’s actually a good choice. I would add Faried and Griffin. Both are available.
Don’t understand why Faried is not in L. His stats are better than Crowder and PJ. Same type player.
Kenneth Faried was a good energy guy when he was younger. Energy guys lose a step as they get older and don’t get those rebounds or tips or blocks that they used to.
As you get older you become a better shooter but in the case of Faried he could never shoot so he has no game to speak of today. Blake Griffin would be a decent option though I agree.