The worst place to be in sports is lukewarm. You’re neither good enough to make a difference nor bad enough to start from scratch. After 53 games, in my opinion, the Miami Heat is exactly where the worst place is.
“I’ll get to work, the staff will get to work, we’ll do what we need to do. I promise we’re going to correct this.” — Coach Spoelstra
Those were the words of a seemingly defeated head coach right before the final stretch of the season begins on February 21st. The only question I have in response is: Do you believe him?
If you do believe him, do you think this team has enough talent to make a real playoff run? If you don’t, then what exactly is the goal here? Let’s break down what we’ve seen over the past 53 games.
Right now, this team is obviously different from previous years because Miami no longer has its ceiling raiser in Jimmy Butler. Maybe that’s why I feel a sense of regression instead of a feeling of recharge. This season has been exhausting to watch, even without the Jimmy drama we had to watch unfold.
The Heat currently sits at the 9th seed. They’re three games away from avoiding the Play-In Tournament altogether but six games above missing the tournament entirely. To me, that means Miami is stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Is there anything about this team that gives you a sense of hope? Their two best players—Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo—are probably the second- and third-best options on a championship team. Is it fair to say that Miami’s best chance at playoff success left when Jimmy did?
The version of Jimmy Butler that Miami had toward the end was no longer the one we, as the fans, had grown to recognize from previous years. It was definitely time for both sides to move on. But watching him excel as the second option for Golden State—in a role the Heat would have loved to have him play THIS season—feels like a gut punch.
Even though it’s only been a handful of games, would it surprise you if Golden State upsets #1 Oklahoma City or #2 Memphis if they reach the postseason? In my opinion, no. That’s the difference Jimmy makes.
“Franchise changer.” — Draymond Green
That’s exactly what Jimmy was for Miami in recent postseasons. Without him, Miami would probably be a first-round exit. In my opinion, there hasn’t been a single statement victory (without Jimmy) that proves this team can compete in the playoffs.
What’s Next?
Look past the Heat’s top two options. Do you see players who can step up in big playoff moments? If your answer is no, then who beyond Tyler, Bam, and Kel’el Ware are you keeping as building blocks for the future?
Which group of good players would you trade for a better one? Which set of young players would you trade for a superstar that frees up?
If Miami is NOT in the playoffs, there’s a chance they could end up with two lottery picks—if they’re lucky. Would you trade those picks for a superstar? Or would you take the Oklahoma City approach: drafting well, developing talent, and building a roster?
The conclusion I’ve come to—and probably you have too—is that for Miami to reach their previous championship heights again, they are either a Dwyane Wade draft or Anthony Edwards trade away from their next successful chapter.
Until then, it will just be more of what we see now.
With 29 games remaining, Miami’s direction will likely be chosen for them. The questions I’ve asked above will evolve with time, but the reality remains the same.
No matter what Coach Spoelstra promises to fix, nothing will change the fact that this team is exactly who we think they are: lukewarm.
They don’t have the talent to finish in first place, but just good enough to never be in last place.
Stuck in the middle. The worst place to be.
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
stuck in the middle with u great song bad thing in sports.in bball easier to get good than footsy unless u get a jayden daniels.looking at the landscape of nba seems lots whaleish players were on the move recently.and as usual riley came up with nada.to get something good u have to give up something good.nobodys gonna want a dunc shnozic of jjj that bad to give up a disgruntled star(ja kd).so if u want a star need to give up something better than dunc jjj shnozic.kd and ja prob avail next summer what will it take to get said players.or do u hope and pray we can draft another d wade type player.otherwise stuck in the middle with current roster.
Until/unless Miami can upgrade it’s roster significantly, it will not be able to compete for a championship. Therefore, next season, 2025-2026, will be another lukewarm/mediocre/stuck in the middle season.
After next season, the current players likely to still be around in 2026-2027 are:
Bam (guaranteed contract)Herro (guaranteed contract)Wiggins (player option)Ware (team option)Jaquez (team option)Larsson (team option)
It is unknown how many of the players not listed above whose contracts expire in 2024-2025 (Mitchell, Burks) or in 2025-2026 (Rozier, Robinson, Highsmith, Love, Jovic, Anderson) Miami will decide to negotiate new contracts with. It is also unknown which players in the 2025-2026 group might be traded this summer or during the season, prior to the trade deadline.
If Miami does get two first round picks this summer (at least one of them a lottery pick) there are several options for improving the team next season and for the longer term beginning in 2026-2027.
Trade one or both picks plus one or more rotation players for a top notch point guard.Keep both picks and draft the best point guard and power forward/center available.Trade both picks for a higher draft pick.Trade one pick and one player for a good point guard and the other pick and a player for a good back-up power forward/center.
The question is: Will Miami try for a quick fix next season or decide to build for the future through the draft?
would u do a bam for ja trade sun?
Nope.
Herro and Bam for Ja and Jackson, maybe.
Maybe I m a bit optimistic, but I think we haven’t see this years latest iteration of Heat yet. We also haven’t see this team playing consistent ball more the a game or two together.
Team is much longer and stronger then it was last year.
The core consists of five players, two young players with potential (Ware, Jovic), and three established players (Herro, Wiggins, Bam). We are missing a starting level point guard obviously.
All other players can contribute to this team, if they play at the high level. That happens rarely this year.
The biggest disappointments are JJJ and Rosier. Dunc is not good either, especially taking into account his contract. HH is a bit of disappointment, too. Pelle is OK.
Newcomers can contribute something, but its not clear yet, how.
Anyway, Heat can be better, if the core players play well, and if 2-3 of the rest play close to their potential.
Not really a contender, but can make some problems even good teams in PO.
The best thing about this team is, thats the most fun Heat team in years.
For me its a lost cause already. Unless Heat wins 22+ games maybe good enough for the sixth spot. I’m being objective…we might not survive the play in this time. Or even the possibility of not even reaching that given the trend. Pat and Spo, as ive said before got a lot of pride in them and will try to go for a miracle. Respect. But not expecting a lot. Still go Heat!
I am not expecting much either. At the same time I agree with previous discussions regarding the importance of draft picks this year. I think best outcome for the Heat is two picks even if it means not advancing to the playoffs. In this situation it would be an early first round exit anyway.
I am happy that our team doesn’t intentionally tank like other teams. But i also now agree that getting the two draft picks this year would really help the team for the future. If they do make the playoffs this season, as you pointed out, it is unlikely that the team would get very far. That would leave us with one pick from the Warriors. I would expect that with the player we would get with that pick, plus trades after the season, plus some current members continuing to improve, it is most likely the team will be better next season than it is this season. Therefore, if we don’t make the playoffs this season, we would get a higher draft pick than we would next season, possibly as high as 11 and no lower than 14. The Warriors pick, imo, will be in the 16-20 range.
Good comments. I agree with everything.
Hey, on kind of a funny note, on a mock draft with Miami getting the #11 pick, they project picking Liam McNeely, not for any reason except that is where he is projected to go. What I really like is the players they compare him to are Thunder Dan Majerle and Klay Thompson.
Miami doesn’t need another shooting guard. The Heat already has Tyler Herro. The team needs a good point guard. Maybe one of these guys.
Kasparas Jakucionis – 6-5 – Illinois (Lithuania)
Egor Demin – 6-9 – BYU (Russia)
Johnuel Fland – 6-3 – Arkansas
Jeremiah Fears – 6-4 – Oklahoma
Nolan Traore – 6-4 – France
Labaron Philon – 6-3 – Alabama
Or, Miami may be able to trade for a good point guard with a pick and a player.
Gotta be a two-way player. Don’t need any more one-ways.
According to reports, he is.
I have read a few different profiles. I think the consensus is he can develop into a good defender. His real strength is offense. That’s good enough if you are looking for another wing. However, I think the Heat need a starting PG and a back-up PF/C more.
I didn’t say I would choose him, just that the mock showed it. As you know, I like #2,3,4,5 on your list above. I haven’t done any research on #1 and 6. Also like the center with the funny name -Derik (dairy?) Queen. Kam, Hugo as well. Others.
Now, if I was GM (or your assistant), and if Atlanta REALLY wanted someone at our #11 and wanted to move up,I’d try to trade our 11 for their 13 and 23. Then possibly take Demin at 13, Hugo Gonzalez 14, and Fleming or Fland at 23.
What about Rozier and both picks for Trae, LaMelo or Morant and trading Duncan? Asking for a friend.
Backcourt of Trae and Herro would be pretty porous. Maybe the same for Ball. Ja is a gifted player. And a thug. I’d rather keep the picks.
I agree. I just threw it out there. Not much to choose from on expiring contracts.
Josh Giddey is on an expiring rookie contract.
I did mention how the pundits seem to associate certain players in their draft projections, with us. See if it isn’t true…it happens with trade and buyout suggestions too.
Okay, and I’m curious to see how the draft plays out. I actually don’t think that player is the most important need for the Heat. I think priorities are pg, and pf/backup center. If the Heat do not take that player, I believe another team will in the same range because that is where he is rated/projected.
I am also rooting for the two picks outcome. I have more faith in our draft picking after the Ware selection.
Even the rosiest of viewpoints can give way to a loss of a little optimism as the results come in. I always felt bad because I was usually portending gloom by comparison and you always brought me up with your cheer.
But really, I have been saying the same all along, that Jimmy had lost a little and had become more of a second option, and that we needed more to compete. When the offseason ended with only the Burks addition, I knew our goose was cooked. We are right where this article places us, in the mushy midrange, needing just two players to get really good, but with no way to acquire them.
Better times are ahead as this too shall pass.