While the Eastern Conference has plenty of unknown entering the 2025-26 NBA season, the Miami Heat do, too.
Throughout the Jimmy Butler era, the expectation was always to win. That objective isn’t going to change, but the Heat are entering their first full season without Butler, who was traded to the Golden State Warriors last February. They are still searching for a new identity with a few new faces, one they were not able to find in 30-plus games post-Butler last year.
During media day on Monday, head coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged there’s an unknown to this year’s team — and he’s “embracing” it.
“There’s an element of unknown with this team,” he said, according to Ethan Skolnick of Five Reasons Sports. “It’s invigorated me. I’m embracing the unknown. There’s some things we do know … But I think when you can also have a season where you’re not totally sure, but there’s big possibilities where guys can grow. … It’s exciting.”
The Miami Heat have been mediocre each of the last three seasons. They tied their worst record (37-45) since the Big 3 era concluded, capped by getting mercifully swept out of the postseason. They went 26-37 without Butler, including a dreadful 12-17 post-All-Star break despite having the 12th-best NET Rating (3.0) over that span. The story of the season was they couldn’t close games, but now it’s time to write a new chapter.
Entering the new season, while competing for a conference title isn’t in the cards, there’s a whiff of optimism around the team’s young core — led by Nikola Jovic and Kel’el Ware — and new additions (Powell, Simone Fontecchio, Kasparas Jakucionis) with a chance to prove themselves, even in Tyler Herro’s immediate absence.
There’s always some thrill of being an unknown commodity. But what’s unknown know will soon be known, and that’s where I think this puzzle becomes intriguing, even if there’s not a ton of high aspirations.
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“There’s an element of unknown with this team. It’s invigorated me. I’m embracing the unknown. There’s some things we do know…. but I think when you can also have a season where you’re not totally sure, but there’s big possibilities where guys can grow…. it’s exciting.”
~ Spoelstra ~
There are several players who may make big jumps in performance this season. There should be interesting competitions between players for rotation spots/playing time. Expect the unexpected. At least 2 surprise players (excluding the starting core and Herro) will make the rotation. Who knows which 2 (or possibly 3). Time will tell.
PG: Herro, Mitchell, Smith, Jakucionis
SG: Powell, Rozier, Larsson
SF: Wiggins, Jaquez, Fontecchio
PF: Bam, Jovic, Johnson
C: Ware, Achiuwa, Goldin
Totally enjoying all the live media day interviews. In particular, I wish Rozier the best for a bounce back season and absolutely don’t want to see him waived!
Hoping for a great Terry start so the team and organization can finally get some value out of him. In trade or on court play, something.
If Rozier gets hot before Herro returns maybe Miami can swap him for DeRozan.