Hanifan: The Heat's big man rotation is still too thin to justify

We are exactly three weeks away from the Miami Heat’s season opener against the Orlando Magic inside Kia Center.

We are just two games into the Heat’s preseason, with the third of six total preseason affairs tipping off in a matter of moments against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Are there any overarching takeaways to have? Not particularly, outside of the Heat playing noticeably quicker. One of the Heat’s biggest questions heading into the new season is what the Heat’s big man rotation looks like outside of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware?

Two weeks ago, the Heat signed Precious Achiuwa to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract. It was a reasonable flyer for a player who is familiar with the organization. Yet, one could argue that the Heat’s big man room is still way too thin heading into the 2025-26 season.

Heat may be forced to start Nikola Jovic out of necessity:

Nikola Jovic has been one of the Heat’s best players through two preseason games. It’s a microscopic sample that will have to be duplicated in the regular season for any sort of meaning. But the 22-year-old’s been one of the Heat’s best initiators, decision-makers, rebounders and shooters. He’s also held his own defensively. That matters.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has remained non-committal about a starting lineup three weeks out. Though it appears that Jovic has the leg up. However, as I discussed in mid-August, Spoelstra may be forced to start Jovic out of necessity.

It’s difficult to take anything away from preseason games, but one could argue the Heat are still without a reliable backup big behind Ware and Adebayo.

Erik Spoelstra continues to push Kel’el Ware to be more impactful

Thus, Spoelstra may be forced to stagger Adebayo and Ware far more often than he would play them together.

Perhaps I get proven wrong in the end — it wouldn’t be the first time. Miami’s big men room is far too thin to justify at this current point in time, which could be an issue if foul trouble erupts at any point during the regular season.