The Heat are entering the new 2025-26 season without their starting lineup being made official yet.
Tyler Herro’s absence opens a spot for Davion Mitchell to step up in the backcourt. But even with Herro’s injury creating a hole, that’s not even the biggest question mark—especially for fans and analysts closely following roster changes and considering trends in NBA basketball betting, where early-season lineups can shift odds dramatically.
Instead, the frontcourt alongside Bam Adebayo is still up in the air. The Heat had started emerging rookie big man Kel’el Ware at the center position the entire second half of last season.
However, Nikola Jovic was injured at that time, and now he seems to be the favorite to earn back his own starting spot that he held in the majority of the 2023-24 campaign two seasons ago.
Jovic was recently signed to a four-year contract extension that has him earning an average of nearly $15 million annually. That’s starter money.
The Heat have been clear with their faith in the 6-10 forward, as each of the front office and coaching staff seem committed to Jovic’s growth.
He started turning heads after a great run in the Euro Basket this summer. Jovic has responded well to the Heat’s system over the years, gaining noticeable weight, muscle and knowledge. His skills as a lengthy playmaker and creator have always made him an intriguing player on the Heat’s roster— and with Herro sidelined to begin the year, they will need that playmaking more than ever.
With all this being said, Ware looking like the odd man out with Miami’s first unit this season is still a difficult decision.
Per 36 minutes, Kel’el Ware’s stats last season featured a 12.4 points and 10.4 rebounds double-double on 55.4% shooting.
Ware brings a much needed 7-foot frame that allowed Adebayo to slide over to a more natural power forward position a year ago. So far in preseason, Adebayo has shown the same offensive struggles that he had in his slow start last season, too. It’s not a coincidence that the Heat captain didn’t start getting into a groove once Ware emerged into the lineup.
Outside of Ware’s presence benefiting Adebayo, he also brings his own upside to the table. The second-year big man dominated in Miami’s preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs, finishing with 29 points and 12 rebounds on 63% shooting. He also showed a glimpse of versatility by knocking down 3 of his 6 attempts from 3-point range in the game.
Coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged postgame that he was happy to see him “play with force.”
But for most of training camp and preseason — and even in the summer league — he has been vocal about wanting to see more energy and a winning impact out of Ware.
He did look disengaged during the Heat’s first round playoff sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers last spring. The Cavs bigs undoubtedly had their way against the raw Ware in the paint. But at the same time, it was the 21-year-old’s first ever postseason minutes in his rookie season.
To Spoelstra’s credit, Ware still has a lot to learn. But he also provides more of a ceiling than Jovic does.
Kel’el Ware has gotten early comparisons to a young Anthony Davis.
Ware has all the physical tools to become a star in the league. That notion can’t be said about Jovic just yet, despite being in the league for three more years. When Ware is locked in and engaged, like the Miami Heat saw against the San Antonio Spurs recently, he has the talent to be a legitimate game changer on a nightly basis.
The size, rim protection and paint presence all provide Miami with attributes that they haven’t had from a true big man in a long time. Offensively, he has shown an ability to spread the floor, finish around the rim and be a lob threat.
As mentioned, Spoelstra’s thinking with inserting Jovic’s playmaking in Herro’s absence makes sense.
But once Herro is back in the fold, it doesn’t make sense to leave all that talent on the bench in Ware.
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If Miami can pick up a good front court player (PF/C) that allows Ware and Bam to start together and a high assist/high scoring point guard to bring out the best in others (especially Ware and Bam), I think Miami can go far this year.
It would probably take Herro, Powell or Wiggins and 1-2 young assets and 1-2 first round picks. If no such trades are made I see Miami as a 6-10 place team, at best. If the team suffers any significant injuries, I see it as a lottery team.
Right now, Riley has the team with one foot in and one foot out of contention. He needs to make a choice whether to gamble future potential in order to improve the team now -OR- consider 2025-2026 a gap year and focus on getting rid of assets by the trade deadline and beginning a major retooling/rebuilding process (over the summer of 2026 through the trade deadline of 2027).
zion dejone murray for ty wig shnozic
Ja Morant, Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, there are a few out there who would make sense, as long as not starting together with Herro.
ja would be great here.dejonte also not to same extent as ja..jas hurt alot though he plays above the rim takes lots of flops.i would give up ty and shnoz in aheartbeat for ja
Five things to watch for the Heat’s seasonOriginally posted on thePeachBasket | By Eric Labrador | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 11:46 PM ET
(Summarized by SM)
There are five things to watch for in the Heat’s season. This year’s Heat team can be a surprise four seed or be involved in a big trade. They are playing the first season post-Jimmy Butler. The team is on the first apron of the salary cap. They won’t be competing for the Eastern conference title this season.
#5 — Nikola Jovic needs to rebound to his sizeNiko averages 3.3 rebounds per game or thereabouts up to now in his career. He is 6’10”. He signed a new deal recently worth $60 million.
#4 — Norman Powell can’t miss many gamesPowell was the free-agent steal this offseason. He will play the role of “sixth man” for the team and will probably play most fourth quarters. Tyler Herro will miss about two months with an injured foot to start the season. Norman Powell will need to help with the scoring during this time.
#3 — Kel’el Ware needs to take defensive responsibility off Bam
#2 — Heat can’t get outrebounded many timesThe Heat lose games when they are outrebounded by the opposition. They win games when they tie the opposition (in rebounding) or win the rebounding battle. Precious Achiuwa was signed this off-season as a “bridge player” to flatten the learning curve for Kel’el Ware.
#1 — Tyler Herro must play more off the ball this season than on-the-ball.
Tyler Herro is injury prone. He can’t be “the main ballhandler” on offense. He needs to live “in space” running defenders off screen after screen, after screen as Reggie Miller and Ray Allen did.
im a fan of small incremental progress as long as there is an obvious development. either team-wide or individual. at least half the roster? this is a post-quitter full season and they’ll continue to grope for form and identity specially in offense. i know a lot of fans are win now, or compete now mode but there are just too many factors this team is facing. i hope Miami will not implode if things dont go well. im optimistic and at the same time just gonna chill out if we have a short season. also…Spo getting that hc job for USA team is good. he gets a platform to recruit legit stars haha!
if i had the big 3 id be coaching team usa.coaching matters very little in nba it does in football,not hoops.unpopular post but the truth
For you, truth. For me, bullshit. As I have pointed out far too many times, the reality in any sport, any sport, is if you don’t have the right players, you are probably not going to win.
i think theyve been trying to deal ty for a while hes never avail for playoffs or is worn down.hes not really a winning type player.great scorer when fresh but doesnt make teammates better takes lots shots and is always hurt at end of season.ware is the difference between a playin team and a possible 6th seed.he has to show the want to be a great player which he might be
Directed, of course, to Labrador (what a dog!).
#5 – Yes, no question that Jovic needs to rebound more, but don’t make the contract sound like a Jaylen Brown max. It isn’t, and will never be more than 10% of the budget for the entire period.
#4 – Not sure what he means with the sixth man reference. Powell is a starter.
I think the Jovic contract is good for both parties. I just don’t believe he is ready to be a starting PF in the NBA. Until he demonstrates he can do so, I think he should come off the bench. When Herro returns, Powell may very well come off the bench.
I believe the original plan was a Herro/Powell backcourt. I think the Heat brought him here to start. Davion likely is first pg off the bench with Dru behind him.
for me…its Ware, Bam, Wiggs, Powell, DMitch (until Ty returns). but i think Spo adjusts depending on opponents. go big…Ware Bam Jovic Wiggs Ty lol! go fast…Bam Jovic Powell Ty DMitch. unless that Bam/Ware combo works big time and other combinations, i feel there’s no one-lineup-fix-all at the start of the season.
Good points. Adjusting accordingly. Even if Jovic is getting 15 million, it doesn’t mean he has to start.
Jovic will make only 4,5 million in the upcoming season. He will get 15 million/season only once his extension kicks in the following season. His contract is more of an investment. He definitely has potential and he is still very young, so if everything goes well, he will continue to improve and his contract will be a bargain. This should be a breakout season for him, he has a set of skills that the Heat can benefit from, but we will see whether it will be a starting role.
Six (so far) pluses on your comment indicate how spot on it is.
Thanks! I believe it must be 100% approval rate, since that’s about the total number of people that post here regularly 🙂
Some good comments here. I don’t believe Jovic should be handed the starting job. If it works and the team is successful, great. If not, he can play off the bench. Either way, as long as Jovic stays healthy, the contract is a value contract that represents less than 10% of payroll for its entire length.
In order to earn the starting job he should at least double his rebounds (3.3 won’t cut it for a 6’10” PF. It’s not as though he’s scoring 20-25 ppg. Otherwise, he’ll make a good 2nd unit player this year.
Riley needs to trade for a PF/C and a alpha before the season starts or Miami will quickly find itself in a hole it may not be able to climb out of. Remember, the team’s first 23 game stretch is going to be very, very rough.
Trade or tank Pat. Mediocre no longer cuts it with Miami Heat fans!
It doesn’t seem that there’s going to be any trade before the season starts, but I think you are right that there could be various moves by the trading deadline, depending on how the team has performed.
If Miami keeps getting killed on the Boards, it will become very apparent that without a strategic trade or two the Heat may not be able to become anything more than a play-in team. If that is the case, I don’t recommend Riley throw good money after bad by trying to salvage a mediocre season.
Rebounding and 3 pt shooting (both number of attempts and success rate) has to improve, otherwise we won’t see many Ws.
Right. If they struggle, the trades need to be for young players and draft capital.
Its clear what both players brings to the table. The only question is, which benefits the team more.
For a fast pace lineup, Jovic is a better option for sure.
There is also a question, which player fits better with Bam. It can be true, that Ware gives Bam another dimension when playing alongside, but is also true, that Bam takes more shots , and there is less for Ware in such lineup.
This preseason dominant performances Ware has, comes when he was the only center in the team, and offence runs through him.
As it is, I believe, Jovic should start. But Ware shoudl play heavy minutes, a lot with Bam, and some also as the lone center in the game.
Why is the choice Ware or Jovic? Bam has already said he wants to play power forward. Unless Jovic (a natural SF) is able to rotate with Ware at center, I think we are talking apples and oranges.
Miami needs to trade for a good back-up center. Start Ware (C) and Bam (PF) and have the back-up center rotate with Ware and Jovic rotate with Bam at PF and Wiggins at SF. If Wiggins opts out next summer, Miami can start a front line of Ware (C), Bam (PF) and Jovic (SF). Heat would be one of tallest teams in the NBA.
jovic is a 6 10 pg .hes the magic johsnon of serbia.wares potential is unknown has a ceiling of ad but with bam in there its hard for him to reach that.precious is the third big.if u play bam jovic wig together they would get killed on the boards..i would play bam ware together and have ware be #1 big and have bam as a defender rebounder type and give ware 20 attempts a game.we have to see what this 7 footer can give us if we do the status quo of last few years with bam we are a playin team.let ware be the dominant player between him and bam and he could change the look and effectiveness of our team.spos got to let the warewolf loose .bam is a very good defender but limited offensively.believe wares upside offensively much higher than bams
Probably because those are our only three tall players. And probably because some of a million or so of our guards and wings wouldn’t play much.
Precious averages more rebounds and blocks per game in fewer minutes. Again, I think Riley should trade for another big. Jovic would make a better point SF than a PF.
Ware definitely deserves 30 minutes a game.