The NBA finally released their full 82-game schedule, which came days after part of it — such as Christmas Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the NBA Cup games — were revealed.
A new season is on the precipice. We know the Heat will play every team at least twice, but what are seven games to circle on the calendar, which will feature 25 nationally-televised contests?
Oct. 21 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves:
Skinny: The Miami Heat will open the new season against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The game will mark the first time these two teams met on opening day in their franchise’s history. Miami has struggled in recent memory against Minnesota, dropping eight of their last 10 against each other, including three straight.
Oct. 24 @ Charlotte Hornets
Skinny: Nearly four months ago, the Heat’s season ended to the Hornets inside Spectrum Center in the play-in, 127-126. They won’t have to wait very long to get their revenge, as they play the Hornets in their first road game — third overall — of the season. Both teams will look different, too.
Oct. 30: vs. Indiana Pacers
Skinny: Unfortunately, Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined all of last season due to a torn achilles suffered in Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Finals. Somehow, the 19-win Pacers bested Miami in the season series. Though the matchups with Haliburton always add more intrigue because of the chess match on the court and on the sidelines between Rick Carlisle and Erik Spoelstra.
This will also be the first of four NBA Cup group stage games. Yes, you can yawn. But Group B will be stacked, and the Cup has served as a good buffer throughout the early portion of the regular season, which can otherwise be boring.
Nov. 18 vs. Milwaukee Bucks / Jan. 28 @ Milwaukee:
Skinny: I’m lumping these two games into one.
Miami will see Milwaukee four times this season. The November meeting will be the first time that Giannis Antetokounmpo faces his old team, and the Jan. 28 affair will be his first back in Milwaukee, where he spent 13 seasons.
Both games will be nationally-televised, and it will also be an opportunity for the Heat to see some old faces, especially after the Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo debacle.
Nov. 25 @ Philadelphia 76ers:
Skinny: Every Heat game against LeBron James will be one to circle. However, this will be magnified since Miami pursued James this summer before he evidently chose Philadelphia.
The 76ers are loaded with talent with James, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid. How quickly they will jell is another question. Both teams are expected to compete for an East crown, and it will be an In-Season Tournament game on national television, so there will inherently be a bigger spotlight.
Nov. 27: @ New York Knicks
Skinny: The Knicks got slightly worse this summer after losing Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics. But the reigning champions are still expected to be among the East’s best. They present a fascinating matchup for Miami, given their size and athleticism at every position sans Jalen Brunson. All in all, any game against the defending champions inside Madison Square Garden is must-watch.
Dec. 25 @ Boston Celtics
Skinny: The Miami Heat are returning to Christmas Day, this time against the Boston Celtics. The team who acquired Giannis vs. the team who almost did! This is far from the best Christmas Day game, objectively. Though these are two teams (and fanbases) that, regardless of who’s representing each jersey, don’t like each other. There is no love lost here!
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Yeah 2qbn…for me his comments reflect “The Big Lie “. These guys first and foremost want to get paid over the old worn out drivel about winning. Sure if the winning thing happens too …great but “show me the money “! But…who can blame them? They’ve already won financially beyond their wildest dreams. The rest is gravy!
I think Klay’s motivation really is a 5th ring, and in particular a non-GSW title. He’s been underrated basically his whole career and winning with two teams would address all the comments that he was never that good and a replaceable part on the Warriors.
For some players the money is the biggest thing and they will play on a crummy team just to get paid, even when they have a choice. There are others who take winning much more seriously and will even give up a little cash to play in the playoffs.
Trouble is, we didn’t really attract the bandwagon jumping we were hoping for and now we are perceived as a sixth seed-ish level team, and I am not sure we can strongly attract those willing to take less to win. That was the price we paid in losing LeBron, even though I fully understand why we tried to get him. However, some of our desirability as a location was lessened without him
I’m starting to think our best scenario is to have Giannis truly buy in this year and attract more support around him next year. I wish we could get DeRozan, or have a buy out player fall into our laps, but it’s looking more uncertain now as to what kind of quality we can add for the 2026-27 season.
I do think we improved this team in the Giannis trade. We were heading nowhere this year, very likely lottery bound before that trade. Even if we are a play-in team this year (and being honest, without anymore significant additions I see us as a sixth or seventh seed) we will likely make the first round of the playoffs, and will give our opponent a difficult time. So, we already got a lot better this year although we may still be another quality player away.
Quote from Klay on what he is looking to do towards end of his career:
“I want to compete for a championship, not necessarily win one, but … have the chance to go and try and get another one,” Thompson said. “I want to play a role on a team (that can make a deep playoff run). Whether it’s this season or next season. That’s really my only goal.”
Interesting points are deep playoff run and this season or next. Deep playoff run to me sounds like no to the Lakers. Sounds more like Miami. Jmo. This season or next means if he’s not bought out then he’ll play out this year and head south next winter. That would actually suck as I’m not crazy about one more season on the body. This is the season, Klay! Make a stink!
Klay starting with Larsson and THJ as the 6th and 7th man is the move IMO. Dallas doesn’t need Klay, has been loading up on shooters this offseason and could save a lot of money in a buyout.
I’m going to say what I really think here. Just as some were not really fazed by losing Beal to the Clippers, I am pretty lukewarm on Thompson, as I feel he wont move our needle that much. DeRozan, to me, would be a much stronger acquisition. I will say Klay would be better than nothing. It’s only my opinion, but I don’t know why we are so focused on Klay.
Klay fits better with the roster build compared to DeRozan, even though DeRozan is the better overall bucket getter, so I understand why some view him as ideal. Clearly the Heat do not, unless DeRozan is asking for a lot more money, a starting spot, or both. We haven’t heard anything about what he is willing to do, or play for, or for how many years.
With DeRozan on the roster you will squeeze Pelle. Why squeeze a potential young solid player for one on the decline, who might only be a one year deal. I won’t be upset at all if they sig DeRozan, I just think a buyout or something like that will work better, so keep the flexibility. You can sign Brown, hope Klay gets bought out, and still wait for something to shake loose. The start of the season isn’t the most important thing.
Thanks for your explanation. With much respect to your opinion, which I do realize parallels the teams POV, I don’t think Klay adds more or fits better than DeMar, and nor do I think Pelle should factor into us not getting DeRozan. I am keeping my hopes up.
Sometimes it seems like we try to stay upbeat, but it takes some mental calisthenics and even some moving of the goalposts to keep that good mindset. For example, having our line-up set at the start of the season was important to some before. Hey, I know we are in a tough spot with little money to offer and not many assets, so it’s just going to require even more patience and maybe some buyout magic will fall to us.
So my mindset is I’m going to try to stay grateful for the improvement we’ve already made.
I never said Klay adds more. You added that. I literally said DeRozan is a better overall bucket getter. I said Klay fits better with this roster in he can be on the floor easily with Giannis and Bam at the same time, which happen to be our top two players. His main skill pairs better. DeRozan’s best skill is when one of those two sit. You can’t play DeRozan with those two for too long unless the two remaining spots have snipers or the space is going to get clogged. You will have to stagger DeRozan more than you would Klay with our two main guys.
Ok, I didn’t realize you didn’t imply that Klay added more.
Look, I’m just being honest in my opinions, but they are just that, opinions. I understand your reasons for yours too. It’s good to have the dialogue.
Yes, if Klay came here, he would immediately slot into the starting shooting guard position. DeRozan would not.
Game Theory podcast had good landing spots for DeRozan being Miami, with the idea he can provide offense in the 18 mpg Giannis is off the court, Golden State, Detroit, and Chicago, who can offer the most money $9.4m.
IMO the main issue with adding DeRozan is it is a lower ceiling move. His teams have generally been better with him off the court esp. in the playoffs. Toronto in both regular season and playoffs was dramatically better when DeRozan was not in the game, vs the opposite for Lowry. DeRozan and Portis on the second unit for Miami would be rough, can’t switch in that lineup and you have to somehow work around two players who are really lacking on defense. Then DeRozan also doesn’t provide any 3PT spacing on offense that could justify getting worse on defense in his minutes.
Klay is a two way player with a totally different game than DeRozan, off-ball movement shooting, that fits this team perfectly. Milwaukee since they won the title in 2021 has been no lower than a top 3 offense each year in Giannis’ minutes, and the one thing Milwaukee had that Miami doesn’t have currently is top 10 3PA and 3FG%. In terms of touching the ball the least amount of time to points scored Klay would be the Norm equivalent that Miami is looking to make up for with all their offseason additions so far, Conwell, THJ, Simone.
Let’s hope that Klay can still provide that off ball movement shooting at this point in his career. I understand he is afterall a splash bro, and perhaps the spacing opportunities he provides is his biggest asset.
My point of view is we lack the midrange shot creation DeMar provides probably even more than what Klay gives us. And DeMar is better, unless he has lost a lot since last year, and he is still elite at clutch scoring and will find you that bucket when defenses pack it in to stop Giannis and Bam.
Klay 10.6 FGA, 7.6 3PA
DeRozan 13.1 FGA, 1.9 3PA
Klay averaged 12.7 3PA per 36 last year, only LaMelo and Curry were higher at 13.
6.6 of his 7.6 3PA per game were in the first 0-2 seconds of touching the ball, only Markkanen, MPJ, Curry, Kon, DiVencenzo averaged more threes within 2 seconds.
DeRozan is totally different, he took 11.2 2FG per game and only 2.2 were within 0-2 seconds, 6.0 from 2-6 seconds, 3.0 after 6 seconds. His offense is getting the ball and going to work 1 v 1 in isolation, but on a team with Giannis and Bam that’s 2-6 seconds or more per possession the ball is not in the best players hands. And DeRozan has always been a top option on offense as a starter, so there’s no precedent for how his offense would translate to being a 6th man.
DeRozan is the best FA available and a lot of people are predicting he goes to the Heat. With the $10m the Heat have to spend my guess is it’s either DeRozan or Klay but not both, so it’s a good discussion IMO. I’m higher on the midrange creation on this team than most between Bam, Wiggins, and Larsson. I think 3PA is by far the #1 need, and Klay is unique as one of the highest volume shooters in the entire NBA last year who due to his age/being on a rebuilding team also happens to be at the right situation for a buyout.
Good explanation. The Heat certainly sees it that way too.
Well, Beal is overpaid once again, Westbrook out. Derozan will sign for similar money then Beal somewhere.
Gabe reunion seems more and more likely. Even getting Simmons or Oladipo is not out of the question.
All options above are more intriguing for me then Beal or Derozan.
Kings and Dipo appear to be headed to a deal. That would have been a reunion and injury risk I would have been up for.
Looking forward to the Toronto games, that was a team Miami looked horrible against last year as the lack of paint pressure from the Heat offense was exposed. That will be different this year with Giannis. And Toronto will be better also, I think they could be the #1 seed in regular season.
Bradley Beal to Clippers
On a deal more lucrative than what the Heat would have been able to give, plus a team he just played for. Even though he fit better than DeRozan, I’m not upset about this signing.
I do think this might light a small fire on the FO as I believe Beal was a legit target even though we only heard they talked with his agent. I could see a call to Bruce Brown.
That franchise is going down and Ballmer is about to be banned from the NBA for who knows how many years. Circumventing the salary cap is the second worst thing an owner can do right under betting on NBA games.
Saw this on YardBarker.
Potential depth chart if Miami signs Thompson and DeRozan
Starting Lineup
Point guard – Davion Mitchell
Shooting guard – Klay Thompson
Small forward – Andrew Wiggins
Power forward – Giannis Antetokounmpo
Center – Bam Adebayo
Bench DepthPoint guard – Pelle Larsson, Dru Smith
Shooting guard – Tim Hardaway Jr.
Small forward – DeMar DeRozan, Simone Fontecchio
Power forward – Nikola Jovic
Center – Bobby Portis
*It did not include Conwell or Gardner, who may earn rotation minutes behind Larsson, Hardaway and DeRozan.
The majority of Pelle’s minutes came at SG and SF. Because of DeRozan we would move him to a position he hasn’t really played. Now he might excel there, but not crazy about shuffling positions on a young player. Niko suffered that a bit. Not the main reason, but didn’t help. This could be why we don’t sign DeRozan. Time will tell.
Who knows which players may still be available when all the dust settles. Miami definitely could use reinforcements if it expects to compete with the Knicks, Sixers and others. Otherwise, the Heat may possibly be looking at another play-in spot.