With the 2024-25 season quickly approaching, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo may be the Miami Heat’s only guaranteed starters. According to Five Reasons Sports, the Heat “have two definite starters and the other spots will be subject to competition.”
I was told this weekend that the Heat have two definite starters and the other spots will be subject to competition.
Put it on Off the Floor first.
Discuss there:https://t.co/izwgN0S6Dy
— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) September 2, 2024
This likely leaves Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, and Nikola Jovic in a position where they have to defend their right to be in the first unit.
Heat Will Have Multiple Position Battles
Rozier, Herro, and Jovic could be the leaders in the clubhouse with regard to their starting spots. Regardless, they’ve all displayed flaws that make them vulnerable.
The primary problem is that this trio can’t stay healthy, and that reared its ugly head in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Yet, the Heat’s lack of size has also stood out like a sore thumb. Miami is a weak rebounding team, lacks ideal rim-protection, and they’re poor finishers inside.
Addressing The Frontcourt Issue
Jovic’s competition for a starting spot may be rookie Kel’el Ware.
The 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Ware’s strong performance in Summer League has many wondering if he’s on deck to be the Heat’s starting center. The fact that Adebayo was playing power forward for Team USA at the same time adds credence to that belief.
A true 7-footer, Ware would give their frontcourt traditional size. Though he still needs to get stronger, he looks like he’ll be a solid rebounder and efficient finisher. His rare ability to be a shot-blocker and floor-spacer increases his value to the Heat.
Tyler Herro’s Spot Up For Grabs?
Herro, the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year, might be returning to the bench as well.
He knows how to put points on the board and he’s a respectable playmaker. However, he’s a streaky scorer who fails to create many defensive events. Though he has perhaps the strongest case to start, he’s arguably better suited to man the second unit.
That’s a role that Rozier could also play. Yet, he’s been a full-time starter for five consecutive seasons. If he continues to start for the Heat, it may be best to put a low-usage 3-and-D archetype beside him. A play initiator, pick-and-roll operator, and scorer, having a high-usage guard with him in the backcourt is arguably counterproductive.
This leaves the possibility open that Josh Richardson gets a chance to start. A defensive-minded veteran wing, he’s made 36.4 percent of his career 3s. Thus, he can play the vaunted 3-and-D role. The only problem is that he tends to go hot and cold behind the arc.
A Kyle Lowry Remix?
The Heat could consider moving Rozier to shooting guard. This is a position he’s quite familiar with after sharing the backcourt with Charlotte Hornets playmaker LaMelo Ball. More importantly, it’s one where he still has a defensive edge.
If Miami was to put Rozier at the two, it’s possible that they’d entertain starting Isaiah Stevens at point guard.
While a rookie, the 23-year-old was a five-year starter at Colorado State. His experience, basketball IQ, court vision, and passing prowess that of a true floor general, he fits the mold of a few former Heat point guards. In fact, as a table-setter and catch-and-shoot threat without an aggressive scoring mentality, he’s eerily reminiscent of Kyle Lowry.
Miami starting Stevens, Rozier, Butler, Adebayo and Ware might not be sexy on paper. There are two rookies and a lot of pressure. However, it could be the most sensible lineup on the court, where the game is played.
Any Other Options?
Not to be forgotten are Jaime Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, and Kevin Love.
Jaquez is probably the most popular option, becoming a fan favorite last season. Drafted 18th overall in 2023, the forward’s scoring instincts and intensity led to All-Rookie honors. Yet, Jaquez made just 32.2 percent of his 3s, a concern if he was to start.
Highsmith is arguably the team’s best perimeter defender. On a team that prides itself for their ability to suffocate opponents, this could make him a dark horse candidate to start. Helping him is that he made a career-high 39.6 percent of his 3s last season. However, Smith’s a mediocre rebounder, so he may have to slide to shooting guard, if possible.
Robinson and Love are, first and foremost, elite 3-point shooters. Love, a potential Hall of Famer, has also long been an impressive rebounder and playmaker. Both options to start at power forward, their biggest issue is defense.
