Grading each Miami Heat player halfway through season

We have officially reached the halfway point of the 2025-26 Miami Heat season! They are 21-20 with sole possession of the No. 8 seed in the East. Previously, we did a 25-game evaluation of each player! Now, let’s do one midway through!

Bam Adebayo:

Skinny: After 25 games, we gave Adebayo an A- for his efforts early in the season. But he has dropped a whole letter grade since that point, averaging 14.0 points on 49.0 percent true shooting in his 14 games since. He is far from 100 percent healthy, but he’s healthy enough to play, which means he needs to be better. His last two games were steps in the right direction — on both ends.

Grade: B-

Simone Fontecchio:

Skinny: Fontecchio’s 14-game stretch to begin the season, where he seemingly couldn’t miss (50.0 3P% on 5.3 3PA), feels like a long time ago. The 6-foot-8 wing is shooting just 25.7 percent over his last 24 games, including just 6-of-20 over his last 10.

Grade: D+

Tyler Herro:

Skinny: Herro’s been limited to just 11 games this season, averaging 21.9 points on 49.7 percent shooting and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. He’s still adjusting to the team’s new offense, even though they have implemented more ball screens since his return to the lineup. He still has a bullseye on his chest defensively, but he’s been a nice boost to the Heat, whose offensive process hasn’t always been consistent.

Grade: B

Kasparas Jakucionis:

Skinny: Jakucionis’ numbers don’t pop off the page. He’s averaging just 4.3 points and 1.5 assists. But the Heat’s No. 20 overall draft choice has shown growth as the season’s gone on. At minimum, he’s shown to be an above-average point-of-attack defender — where I had concerns pre-draft due to his foot speed and screen navigation — and quality spot-up shooter. He still has plenty of room for growth, but I’ve been very pleased with the 19-year-old to this point.

Grade: B-

Jaime Jaquez Jr.:

Skinny: You can’t say enough about how well Jaquez has played thus far. He’s a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate, averaging 15.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He still has untapped potential as a facilitator, too. But the third-year wing has been a huge breath of fresh air for the Heat despite his shooting struggles.

Grade: A-

Keshad Johnson:

Skinny: Johnson is still firmly out of the team’s rotation at this point of the season, so it’s difficult to give him a legitimate evaluation. I always loved his athleticism and multi-positional versatility on defense. He’s done some good things in a limited role, but that’s all his role is (and should) be right now.

Grade: C

Nikola Jovic:

Skinny: Jovic’s shooting has been … a mixed bag after a slow start to the season. But he’s been more impactful in the open court, on the glass and as an individual defender, which is a good sign. I would still like the 6-foot-10, 205-pound Jovic to embrace contact more than he currently does. Over his last 11 games, he’s averaging 10.8 points and 4.5 rebounds on down efficiency.

Grade: C-

Pelle Larsson:

Skinny: Pelle Larsson is a winning basketball player. His shooting from deep has regressed, but the second-year guard does all the little things defensively while being a much better passer and decision-maker than the numbers indicate. Someone protect his face, though.

Grade: B+

Davion Mitchell:

Skinny: Mitchell is the Heat’s head of the snake on both ends. He hasn’t been as efficient or aggressive offensively. But he remains the Heat’s best screen navigator and all-around perimeter defender (not named Bam Adebayo). In the long term, he likely functions as a bench guard. But he’s done his job, averaging 9.1 points and 7.3 assists through 38 games.

Grade: B+

Norman Powell:

Skinny: Powell is the Heat’s leading scorer through the halfway point, averaging 23.9 points on 49.0/41.3/85.9 shooting splits. I would argue he and Herro are the Heat’s two most dynamic shot makers, regardless of the order. While I have been critical of his impact when he’s not scoring, he’s been awesome for the Heat this season.

Grade: A-

Dru Smith:

Skinny: Dru Smith’s in a rough patch. Earlier this season, I claimed he and Mitchell should be on the floor at all times. That should no longer be the case. He’s averaging just 5.8 points on 27.6 percent from 3-point range over his last 15 games. His playmaking — or lack thereof — has been an issue in a bench issue that has little-to-none (sans Jovic). His defense is still there, but he has not played up to par the last several games.

Grade: C

Kel’el Ware:

Skinny: Ware’s motor has regressed, again, which has led to him losing minutes. He’s always going to have to do 125 percent of the work to get 100 percent of the work. There have been patches where he’s been phenomenal. But there’s an equal amount of games where he’s been a disaster. Regardless of his performance (it hasn’t been good lately), if we’ve learned anything about Spoelstra over the last 18 years, you’re not going to play if the motor doesn’t meet the standard. And it hasn’t for Ware. Stack good days!

Grade: B-

Andrew Wiggins:

Skinny: When Wiggins does the dirty work on the offensive glass, he’s at his best. He’s averaging 15.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks on 40.2 percent shooting from deep across 37 games. I’m curious to see if the Heat actually shops the soon-to-be 31-year-old, who still has one more year (player option) left on his contract.

Grade: B-

***

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