Previous Offseason Outlooks:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- New York Knicks
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Toronto Raptors
- Washington Wizards
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Utah Jazz
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Additions: Alec Burks, Nassir Little
Subtractions: Caleb Martin, Patty Mills, Delon Wright, Orlando Robinson, Jamal Cain, Cole Swider, Alondes Williams
Re-signed: Bam Adebayo, Kevin Love, Haywood Highsmith, Thomas Bryant
Draft: Kel’el Ware (No. 15 overall), Pelle Larsson (No. 44)
Hanifan’s Take: Ah, yes the team we’ve all been waiting for! The Miami Heat entered the offseason after an underwhelming 2023-24 season–despite winning 46 games–in part due to the 1,340,580 injuries suffered throughout the season. There was change expected along the way, until there wasn’t. Miami elected to run back the same core–Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro–for the sixth consecutive season. A few of the surrounding pieces are different: Caleb Martin departed after three seasons while Alec Burks, Josh Christopher Nassir Little were additions to the guard/wing room. They also drafted center Kel’el Ware and guard Pelle Larsson, becoming more athletic on the frontline. They also added a couple of intriguing options in the undrafted free agent pool: Keshad Johnson and Isaiah Stevens. Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg and Co. did work around the fringes this offseason. Butler, Terry Rozier and Duncan Robinson are all coming off unfortunate late-season injuries, and there’s expected to be growth in opportunity and role for both Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. It was a fairly timid offseason for the Heat transaction-wise, it may not have been the big splash we all wanted, but it also could’ve been much worse. The biggest storyline heading into the season will be Butler’s future with the organization after not signing an extension–a cloud that exists over the Heat’s head. He appeared motivated during media day, but he’s not getting any younger and is coming off the worst injury of his illustrious career.
Grade: B-
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