Miami Heat Season Preview
Re-signed: Bam Adebayo, Thomas Bryant, Haywood Highsmith, Kevin Love
Addition: Alec Burks (free agent)
Draft Picks: Kel’el Ware (No. 15 overall), Nikola Djurisic (No. 43, traded to Hawks), Pelle Larsson (No. 44, via trade)
Departures: Jamal Cain (to Pelicans), Caleb Martin (to 76ers), Patty Mills (to Jazz), Orlando Robinson (to Kings)
Unsigned Free Agents: None
Last Season Recap
The 2023-24 Miami Heat season was a challenging one, marked by significant injuries to key players. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro missed a combined 62 games, making it difficult for the Heat to build any consistent momentum. Despite their struggles, Miami managed to fight their way through the SoFi Play-In Tournament, only to be knocked out in the first round by the Boston Celtics. This was a stark contrast to their surprise Finals run the previous year.
Summer Summary
Due to limited salary cap flexibility, Miami’s offseason was relatively quiet. The Heat focused on re-signing their core players, including Bam Adebayo, who remains the franchise’s long-term cornerstone, locked in through 2029. They also brought back Thomas Bryant, Kevin Love, and Haywood Highsmith on affordable deals, ensuring roster continuity.
Miami did, however, manage to bring in Alec Burks, a versatile scorer who could provide some much-needed offensive firepower off the bench. The team’s first-round draft pick, Kel’el Ware, impressed in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, showcasing his potential to become an impactful 7-footer.
Player Spotlight: Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler has been the heart and soul of the Miami Heat since the days of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. However, there are growing questions about his future with the team. Butler’s injury history, combined with his contract situation, has raised doubts about whether Miami is willing to commit to a long-term extension. Pat Riley has expressed reluctance in extending Butler, even though his contributions remain essential to the team’s playoff hopes.
Season Outlook
There’s a sense that the Heat have been passed by other contenders in the Eastern Conference, particularly as teams like the 76ers and Celtics continue to stockpile assets and develop young talent. Miami, meanwhile, has fewer such advantages and may struggle to keep pace with the top teams in the East.
With Bam Adebayo as the new face of the franchise and under contract until 2029, this may become more of his team moving forward. If Butler and Herro can stay healthy and perform at a high level, the Heat should remain in playoff contention. However, a deep playoff run will require everything to fall into place, from improved health to solid contributions from role players like Burks and Ware. While they’re not out of the picture, Miami will need a lot to go right to remain competitive deep into May.
