(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
The Miami Heat’s 2024-25 campaign was filled with distractions and inconsistencies. From Jimmy Butler’s trade demand antics, to welcoming new key pieces post-trade deadline, leading up to an abysmal first round sweep out of the playoffs.
Although the Butler drama was put to rest following his midseason trade to the Golden State Warriors, the new-look Heat had to adjust on the fly. In the overall return by offloading the disgruntled star, Miami most notably landed Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell.
Following the trade, the Heat limped to a 12-21 record to close out the regular season.
In the midst of that losing record, Miami underwent both highs and lows. They suffered a 10-game losing streak— good for the worst skid of coach Erik Spoelstra’s career. But the team responded with a six-game win streak right after, and earned a trip to the postseason with two impressive play-in victories on the road.
Despite showing signs of putting strong Heat basketball together, their lack of scoring created issues in that first round sweep to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyler Herro was getting hunted on every possession, and Miami had no true shot creators to take the pressure off him. That’s what led to the front office addressing their scoring concerns with the acquisition of Norman Powell this offseason.
It’s unclear how the fit with a Powell, Herro and Bam Adebayo core trio will look just yet. However, the potential is certainly there for Miami’s ceiling to be raised— and the Heat captain seems ready to see the product on the court.
Bam Adebayo recently spoke out on his excitement towards the Norman Powell addition
“I feel like Norman is one of those guys who floats under the radar.. You’ve seen what he’s done and you’ve seen him grow in this league.”
“He’s really shown that he can be an All-Star caliber player… so I’m happy to have him. It’s a very good shakeup for our team and now it’s a different dynamic to it.”
— Bam Adebayo via Anthony Chiang/Miami Herald
Additionally, Powell also recently iterated his excitement to buy-in to the grind of the “Heat Culture.”
“I think the Heat culture and what this organization is about is me to a tee. It’s exactly how I am. I’m built on competitiveness, I’m built on working, I’m built on the grind. That’s my motto, understand the grind… I’m excited to get down and get acclimated and get ready to go.”
— Norman Powell via Anthony Chiang/Miami Herald
Powell is right at the peak of his prime years, coming off a career season with averages of nearly 22 points on an efficient 48% shooting and 42% from 3-point range. He is capable of scoring at all three levels— providing the Heat with what they needed the most against Cleveland earlier this spring.
Not only can Powell assuredly help take pressure off of Herro, but he provides balance in the backcourt as a reputable perimeter defender throughout his career. That two-way versatility is a perfect fit alongside Herro’s scoring heavy skill set.
The Heat may not have made a superstar swing, but Powell’s addition addressed their biggest roster flaw and came at a bargain price tag.
It is expected that the newly acquired guard will slot in as Herro’s starting backcourt partner, and backed up by Wiggins, Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware to shape out the first unit. With the intriguing bench pieces of Mitchell and Nikola Jovic still in the fold, this Miami roster has a formidable first seven-deep of highly impactful players to utilize in the rotation.
With a full training camp from this group, and a refresh from the Butler saga, the cohesion is in a much better position to be built properly. This revamped Heat core is focused solely on hoops this season around.
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Eric Dixon is an undrafted player recently signed by the Lakers to a 10-day contract. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound 24 year old forward led all Division I scorers last season, averaging 23.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 40.7% from beyond the arc on 7.2 attempts per contest. He concluded his five-year career at Villanova in 2025 as the school’s all-time leading scorer, finishing with 2,314 points. He reminds me of Julius Randall or Zach Randolph. I wonder what it would take for L.A. to trade him to Miami?
Check out his highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-0KaDc_ZMk
This team reminds me of the Eddie Jones & Brian Grant teams, after Zo but before D-Wade. Not a real contender, but good enough to root for
I’m feeling optimistic about next season, especially since this group has not had a preseason to become familiar with each other and mesh together as a team. I’ll feel even better once all the trades are done. Still a couple of holes to fill. The glass is definitely half full…and rising. Go Heat!
first 6 looks ok bench is a big ?jjj shnoz pelle fonzi all need to play good.vegas has us at 38.5 wins
F@#% Vegas. Bet against the Heat this year and gonna lose your @$$… especially if Heat picks up another closer to play next to Powell and a third big to rotate with Ware and Bam. Preferably a good, strong PF who can be on the court with either Ware or Bam. Can be paired with Bam when playing small ball.
If Jovic could buff up a little more and get a little tougher/meaner/more physical, he could be a great PF. If not, he will be a large point forward competing for a rotation spot. It will be interesting to see what he looks like after playing together again with Jokić at EuroBasket, training camp and preseason games.
There are a few good back-up PFs around the league who could be had for cheap or as part of a larger trade.
jovic reminds me of tony kukoc he will never be a pf.i think precious could help us.atl orlando and the heat are very close either team could win the division.think the heat could win 45.
Yup. There are several Heat players who should start training camp with chips on their shoulders and something to prove…starting with Jaquez, Jovic, Wiggins, Jakucionis, Larsson, Fontecchio and Herro.
herro had a career year if he replicates that id be happy.jjj fell off the face of the map he better play better.jovic is up and down think hes a rotation player at best.wiggy was fine until playoffs.pelle can guard is athletic needs to score little more.fonzi has nba build looked pretty good for det.kasper is a project .like u said we dont have a third big though
Toni till age 21 already won 3 European championships with his team, and 5 medals on Olympics, worlds and European championships, including 3 gold with Yugoslavia.
He was probably the first really good point forward outside NBA.
In my opinion, he was at his best when he was around 20, since then he was in decline. Despite that he won 3 NBA championships.
But he was half of the player in NBA in comparison with Europe.
Just to lazy to be a top player in NBA.
If Nico would be ever close to Toni, he would be an all star.
.similar type player similar size.both big but finesse players
Yes, but Toni was way better playmaker.
niko has good bball iq just isnt super athletic or strong.so hes got to figure out what works best for him in the states.in europe he can be an all star now but here the players to athletic and strong