The Miami Heat’s season ended after the first round of the playoffs, marking the earliest the team finished a campaign in three years. So, what is next for the Heat, who have dealt with severe injuries to several players over the past two years?
Miami Heat Offseason Plan:
Miami went 46-36 during the regular season to finish eighth in the Eastern Conference this past season. While the Heat improved their win total from the previous year, they were still part of the NBA play-in tournament. Also, the Heat lost their first play-in game for the second consecutive season before earning the conference’s eighth seed.
However, Miami’s 2023-24 postseason was over relatively quickly as they fell to the top-seeded Boston Celtics in five games. The Heat won Game two in Boston, but their four losses were by double-digits. The Heat didn’t have Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier against Boston, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. sat out Game 5.
While injuries hampered Miami, the Heat weren’t as good as they were during the 2023 postseason when they reached the NBA Finals. The Heat’s biggest issue this season was a lack of depth in the backcourt, shooting, and offensive rebounding.
The Heat had the fifth-most games missed due to player injury and used 35 starting lineups.
Here is what ESPN’s Bobby Marks said about the Heat’s 2023-24 season:
By the Heat’s standards, this season should be described as a failure. How could it not be? Miami reached the NBA Finals this past June, traded a future first-round pick forTerry Rozier in January and finished the season with the NBA’s seventh-highest payroll.
Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler played 27 regular-season games and a total of 499 minutes together. The rotating door of lineups resulted in a 22-21 record in clutch games, after finishing 10 games above .500 in the clutch last season. This roster’s improvement depends on four factors: health, roster consistency, development of their recent picks (Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and the player they select in June) and the front office getting their cap ledger in order.
The financial element holds a higher priority this offseason. As Adrian Wojnarowski reported, Miami continues to be a destination for star players under contract who ask to be traded. However, Miami is a projected second-apron team next offseason, meaning the Heat will be at a significant disadvantage when trying to get into the conversation if that player does become available.
Heat’s 2024-25 Financial Report
Miami has 12 players under contract for next season. However, four of the 12 have player options — Caleb Martin ($7.12 million), Kevin Love ($4.02 million), Josh Richardson ($3.05 million), and Thomas Bryant ($2.84 million).
Martin is expected to turn down his player option, though he said he prefers to remain with Miami.
“Everybody knows I want to be here. I make that known,” Martin told reporters on May 3. “That’s my goal is to be able to stay here, make it work. I want to be here as long as possible and for them to want me to come back. That’s my main goal.”
Martin is coming off a career season and has become a key rotational piece for the Heat in the past two campaigns.
The Heat have four players making over $19 million and a total 2024 payroll of over $184 million, which includes all four players who own a player option. Therefore, the Heat is just $4.6 million under the second apron. So, expect the Heat to make moves.
Miami owns the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft and the No. 43.
Here Is A Look At Who May Be Back With The Heat
According to Marks, the Heat’s top priority will be navigating Butler’s future. Butler is coming off another solid season, being one of eight players to average 20 points while shooting 40% from the 3-point line and 85% at the charity stripe.
However, Butler will be 35 in September and has not played more than 65 games in the last four seasons. He also struggles to finish at the rim.
Butler is owed $48.8 million next season and holds a $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season. He is also eligible for an extension starting July 7.
“The decision on Butler’s extension is at the center of what could be a transformative summer for the Heat, said Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. “Butler is expected to seek a maximum two-year contract extension worth about $113 million from the Heat this summer. Choosing not to offer this extension this offseason could lead to a disgruntled Butler.”
Would Miami consider trading Butler? Heat President Pat Riley flat out told Miami Herald Barry Jackson no. But added, “There are a possibility a lot of things are on the table. It’s not about getting another star. You get another star, your bench gets weaker.”
Bam Adebayo
Adebayo posted a double-double for a season for the third time in five years. He is under contract for two more seasons, though he is eligible for a contract extension. According to Chiang, the expectation is that Adebayo will receive a lucrative extension.
“As a foundational piece for the Heat who is still a few years away from turning 30, the expectation is that Adebayo will receive a lucrative extension from the organization this offseason to keep him in Miami for years to come.”
Thomas Bryant
Bryant played sparingly this season for the Heat, appearing in 38 games while averaging 11.3 minutes, though he was pretty productive. Bryant has a $2.8 million player option that he could exercise, though he would likely be third on the center depth chart behind Adebayo and Love.
Jamal Cain
Jamal Cain has spent the last two years on a two-way contract. Cain has appeared in 44 games with the Heat, including 26 contests last year. The 6-7 forward will likely look for a standard deal, like he did last season, although he was unsuccessful a year ago.
Tyler Herro
Herro appeared in 42 games this year, marking the fifth straight season he has played fewer than 70 games. According to Chiang, Herro has three seasons left on his contract and could be trade bait as the Heat look to upgrade their roster. Chiang did add that Herro could also be on the Heat at the start of the season.
Haywood Highsmith
Haywood Highsmith is one of the Heat’s free agents. The 27-year-old has been a key member of the Heat’s bench over the past two seasons and saw 25 minutes a game during the playoffs this season. The Heat, who own Highsmith’s Bird rights, could make him a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer of $2.3 million.
It is believed that either Martin or Highsmith will return to the team next season. However, don’t be surprised if both are back.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Jaquez was sensational as a rookie after being selected with the No. 18 pick. He struggled a little against the Celtics, averaging 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.
Here is what Chiang said about Jaquez:
Jaquez’s cost-effective rookie contract adds to his value with the Heat, considering Miami enters the offseason as a luxury tax team. While there appeared to be a rookie wall, Jaquez displayed enough skill and upside in his rookie season to become an important part of the Heat’s future or an attractive trade chip in a deal for a star.
Nikola Jovic
Jovic showed significant improvement in year two though he only played in 45 games, starting 38 at power forward. Jovic is under team control for the next three years, including the last being a team option. Chiang believes that the 21-year-old is an intriguing trade chip.
Kevin Love
The 35-year-old isn’t ready to retire, so he will likely opt into his contract. Love has adjusted well to coming off the bench the last three years, and while his minutes are dwindling, he is still effective in short bursts.
Patty Mills
Patty Mills had a limited role with the Heat after signing with the team late in the season. Mills, who will be 36 next season, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and it would be a surprise if he were to return to the franchise.
Josh Richardson
Richardson will likely exercise his player option after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury on Feb. 11. While the 30-year-old could earn more money and years if he moves on, he will remain with the Heat and have a role off the bench.
Duncan Robinson
Duncan Robinson has two years left on his contract, although there is an early termination option next season. The 30-year-old re-established himself as a valuable member of the Heat this past season. Due to his shooting prowess and overall improvement in his offensive game, he could be used as a trade chip.
Orlando Robinson
Orlando Robinson is an end-of-bencher big who appeared in 36 games with seven starts this past season for the Heat. Robinson’s 2.1 million deal for next year is non-guaranteed, though it becomes fully guaranteed on July 15. It is unlikely that the 24-year-old returns next season, although it is not out of the realm of possibilities.
Terry Rozier
Rozier was inefficient after being acquired by the Heat. Rozier has two years left on his deal and is the type of player that fits with this Heat team as he is a three-level scorer. He is expected to recover from his neck injury by the start of training camp.
Cole Swider
Cole Swider is a free agent after spending the season on a two-way contract with the Heat, though he did appear in 18 games with Miami, knocking down 10 of 30 3-pointers. According to Chiang, Swider is expected to play for the Heat’s summer league squad and try to earn a spot on the 15-man roster this fall.
Alondes Williams
Like Swider, Alondes Williams can be a restricted free agent if the Heat offer a qualifying offer. Williams, who was on a two-way contract with the Heat, appeared in seven games with Miami this past season, and it is unknown if the 25-year-old will continue his development with the club.
Here is what Chiang said:
Williams is known for his scoring ability, but the Heat sees potential for him to become an all-around player who can help on the defensive end. Don’t be surprised to see Williams back with the Heat next season.
Delon Wright
Delon Wright was a valuable late-season addition, particularly after Rozier went down with his neck injury. Wright is an outstanding backup point guard who can start in a pinch, as he is an excellent facilitator who doesn’t turn the ball over. He will be an unrestricted free agent, and Chiang says there is mutual interest in him returning to South Beach.
