At the very top of the NBA’s league leaders in starting lineup changes was the Miami Heat a season ago. Unfortunately, injuries derailed every bit of last season’s potential team-wide for the Heat. With the 2024-25 season looming, it brings optimism for a fresh start and clean slate to the roster.
Miami ultimately has indeed ‘ran it back’ yet again with this core and build. However, they made slight adjustments by bringing aboard new drafted and even undrafted talent. Kel’el Ware and Pelle Larrson pose as the team’s first and second round picks of the 2024 draft, respectively. Keshad Johnson and Josh Christopher, two major names responsible for the Heat’s undefeated summer league championship, are locked in with the two-way spots currently.
Miami also brought in an outside free agent in former New York Knicks guard, Alec Burks. He has averaged 45% from 3-point range in games against Miami in his career. Last season, he averaged 10.4 points on 38% from deep.
The teams depth chart heading into a new season is looking like:
Miami’s projected 2024-25 starting 5️⃣ & depth chart heading into the season:
PG: Rozier/Richardson/Burks
SG: Herro/Duncan
SF: Jimmy/Jaquez/Larsson
PF: Jovic/Highsmith/Love
C: Bam/Ware/BryantTwo-Ways (as of now) are Johnson, Christopher & Smith pic.twitter.com/wWEmjGtqbI
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) August 16, 2024
There are a lot of takeaways from this potential rotation. Josh Richardson and Burks may find themselves fighting for a backup point guard spot in relief of Terry Rozier. As beautiful as it sounds to see a real big man starting next to Bam Adebayo, Ware’s raw potential is likely to find himself earning a spot as a bench player to begin the year.
Unlike the last couple of seasons, Kevin Love may not fare to have an on-court role. After being re-signed earlier in the offseason, Love mentioned to the media that he could aim to fill a “UD type of role”, as a mentor and locker room presence. Thomas Bryant’s return may also not guarantee a role and more so big man insurance, barring any injuries.
With Caleb Martin’s free agent departure to the Philadelphia 76ers, it could pave a way for rising youngsters Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. to earn bigger roles. In a recent ESPN article, they mentioned Jaquez as a top-five Sixth Man of the Year award candidate for the next season. He earned a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie first-team and even got some Team USA exposure with the practice squad over the summer.
Jovic’s breakout year that saw him earning a starting spot will look to be continued; the sophomore shot 40% from 3-point range during the 2023-24 campaign.
Jovic, still raw defensively, brings a lot to the table from an offensive standpoint. He can run point forward, get out in transition, provide rim pressure and space the floor. He is also able to play multiple positions and bring two-way versatility; a notion that Heat brass seem to love.
Haywood Highsmith was also re-signed to a two-year deal, which still leaves the Heat with a true “3 & D” option and defensive specialist on the perimeter following Martin’s decision to part ways.
When it comes to closing lineups, it is hard to imagine the core of Jimmy Butler, Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier not being on the floor.
An optimistic viewpoint of Miami’s core is having so many fourth quarter options. The go-to guy should be Butler and deservedly so. But all three of Herro/Adebayo/Rozier are no strangers from stepping up in the clutch.
The question becomes who could be that fifth person to balance them in a closing lineup; Highsmith for defensive purposes seems like the answer here.
However, a rebounding and interior presence from Ware along with standouts game from Jaquez/Jovic could also pose nice options.
Of course, all these lineup hypotheticals comes down to health, something the Heat have been historically unreliable with over the years.
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I think we know what to expect from several players. However, it is unknown what the team will get from others. Particularly, Highsmith, Jovic and Ware. For the Heat to excel, all three will need to expand their games and become reliable scorers, beyond what I have projected below. However, one or more may not progress as hoped.
2024 Scoring Projections
Bam: 20ppg
Butler: 20ppg
Herro: 20ppg
Rozier: 16-18ppg
Jaquez: 13-15ppg
Robinson 13-15ppg
Richardson: 8-10ppg
Love: 6-8ppg
Highsmith: 6-8ppg*
Jovic: 6-8ppg*
Ware: 6-8ppg*
Burke: 3-5ppg
Bryant: 2-4ppg
Larsson: 2-4ppg
We should have a good idea where the team is headed by Christmas. It should also be apparent who is shining and who is fizzling. That will dictate what changes, if any, will need to be made by the trade deadline and during next offseason.
Time will tell. I can’t wait!
GO HEAT!!!
There is a lot to think about. I dont see clear lineups. The only reserved place in starting lineup is Rozier as starting point guard and Butler as small forward. All the rest is up in the air.
First decision is, if Bam is PF or C.. if he is Center, then pairing with Jovic does make sense, if he is a PF, then it doesn’t, and starting frontcourt should be Butler, Bam, one of Love/Ware/Bryant. This essentially count out Jovic to play a lot, being behind Butler, JJJ as small forward, which is basically his natural position.
The second decision is what to do with Herro. Is he a starting SG or not. Probably yes, or is better to have Dunc or even JRich to to start?
Fore sure there is only one point guard in this group, two shooting guards, five small forwards, two or three or four power forwards and one pure center, which will not play much. But its true, than most of the team can play more then one position.
Spo needs a lot of magic to cook something tasty of of this.
I dont know man..is Terry fully healed from his neck injury?