Breaking Down The 2024-2025 Miami Heat Roster
The Heat have been one of the best teams in the league for a while but have struggled to stay healthy as of late. Due to the injury issues, the Heat have been a play-in team for the past two seasons. In 2022-2023 the Heat made a miraculous run to the finals as the 8 seed in the East, but last season they lost in five games in the first round as the 8 seed.
Heat fans have been disappointed in the Heat as they have yet to make any notable moves since signing Jimmy Butler in 2019. Kyle Lowry was supposed to be the missing piece for this team, but he was not the same player he was in Toronto, and was traded last season for Terry Rozier. Despite the lack of major moves for the Heat, there is reason to be optimistic entering the season as a Heat fan. Between a mix of proven stars in Jimmy and Bam Adebayo, a motivated Tyler Herro, a full season of Terry Rozier, young pieces with upside, and solid vets, the Heat have more to be excited about than initially thought. The Heat have plenty of depth and most players bring something to the table for fans to get excited for this season.
The Guards- Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier, Alec Burks, Josh Richardson, Josh Christopher, Dru Smith:
Tyer Herro: Herro is a 20-point-per-game scorer who can get hot from three at any moment. Last season Herro began the season on fire, but an injury early on caused him to miss a large amount of time. This derailed his possible breakout year. Between missing a large portion of the regular season last year, struggling in the playoffs, and missing all but half of one game during the Heat's 2023 finals run, Herro has something to prove this year. He has been outspoken about being one of the best young stars in the league but has yet to prove he is a marquee young player. Many Heat fans have wanted Herro to be traded over the past two off-seasons and that has not happened. If Herro does not take another jump this year he may be moved next off-season. Due to all of the trade rumors and disrespect, Herro will be on a mission this season to show he is an elite scorer in this league. His possible breakout is something to watch for this year.
Terry Rozier: Rozier was acquired mid-season by the Heat last year but he never got fully acclimated due to a neck injury that forced him to miss the playoffs. Rozier is healthy entering the season and has a chance to provide a much-needed spark to the Heats offense. Heat fans had been waiting for the Heat to make a trade and Rozier seemed to be the missing piece. He has great scoring ability and can go on hot streaks, where he can take over games. Rozier also brings the ability to attack the basket and put pressure on the defense which is something the Heat badly need. Whether he is a starter or comes off the bench, he will bring an offensive punch the Heat badly need. Miami fans should be excited for a full season of Rozier as he has a skill set not many players on the Heat team possess.
Alec Burks: Burks is the definition of a microwave scorer as he can go on runs by himself, but he can also go cold at any moment. He was signed by the Heat this off-season to provide a scoring punch when he gets in the game. Miami had numerous stretches last season where they struggled to create shots and Burks best ability is his ability to create shots for himself. He is not the strongest defender or playmaker but he does know how to get a basket, and Heat fans should be looking forward to some Alec Burks 12-0 runs this season. When Burks has it going it feels like he is never going to miss and the Heat don't have many players who offer that.
Josh Richardson: J Rich returned to Miami last year after being traded for Jimmy Butler back in 2019, and was starting to get in a rhythm, until he suffered a season-ending injury. He is expected to be fully healthy by the start of the season and will be battling Burks for backup guard minutes. J Rich is a 3-and-D guard who knows the system and is a favorite of coach Spo. At this point, fans know what they will get with him, and while he isn't flashy, he is a solid bench piece that can be thrown in at any moment. J Rich is one of the many reliable depth pieces the Heat have at their disposal this season.
Josh Christopher: Christopher is on a 2-way deal with the Heat after an impressive summer league showing. He is a former first-round pick by the Rockets, who never had the chance to develop in Houston due to the number of young players the Rockets had. Christopher is very athletic, can shoot the lights out, and has a chance to be a part of the Heat's future if he continues to develop. He may not play much this year but the upside is intriguing. Any shot he gets will be something to watch as he could be the Heat's next reclamation project.
Dru Smith: Dru Smith is back with the Heat for what feels like the 50th time in the past year. Smith is also on a 2-way deal with the Heat this season, after spending part of last year on the 15-man roster until he suffered a season-ending injury. Smith is a solid defender and ball handler but he lacks upside, which has led to Heat fans wanting him replaced. Isaiah Stevens is Smith's main competition for this 2-way spot after Stevens summer league performance, but for the time being, Smith has the spot and is liked by coach Spo. Heat fans know what they can expect from Smith on both ends of the court if he does end up playing this season but that is a question mark at the moment.
Summary: The Heat's guard room is full of shot creators for the first time in a long time. Herro and Rozier can both go get a shot at any moment, and Burks is a microwave scorer off the bench. J Rich is a reliable 3-and-D piece for coach Spo and will likely split minutes with Burks based on the matchup. Christopher is full of potential and his development will be fun to watch as the Heat may have a hidden gem on their hands. Dru Smith rounds out the room as a solid player with a solid floor.
The Wings- Jimmy Butler, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Haywood Highsmith, Pelle Larsson, Nassir Little, Keshad Johnson:
Jimmy Butler: Butler is the star of this team and the one who can take their ceiling to another level, but his future with the franchise is up in the air entering the season. Since arriving in Miami in 2019, Butler has taken the team to three conference finals along with two NBA finals appearances and has become one of the best players in Heat history. While he has been a top-5 player in the playoffs with Miami, he has been more of a top 20-25 player in the regular season over the past few seasons. The hope this season is that Butler plays like "Playoff Jimmy" all season as opposed to just in the playoffs as he is in a contract year. If Butler plays to his highest level all season the Heat will have every opportunity to reach the finals once again. This would ensure a new max deal for Butler that will allow him to retire in Miami.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Of all the young pieces for the Heat, Jaquez may be the most important one. He was a top rookie in the league last year and he is expected to take another jump this season. He is Jimmy's future replacement and it makes sense as the two have similar play styles. Jaquez is a tough, gritty player, who thrives in the post, is a good defender, and can attack the basket with his athleticism. He averaged 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists last season which was good enough for the all-rookie first team. After a strong showing for the Team USA select team and two monster games in the summer league, Jaquez should improve in every statistical category. He will most likely be the Heat's 6th man at the start of the season, which will allow him to run the bench unit and showcase his game. Fans are always excited to see how young players develop, and after a strong rookie season, the development of Jaquez in year two is something to monitor and be excited about.
Duncan Robinson: Duncan had a bounce-back season for the Heat last year after being an afterthought most of 2022-2023. At the moment he is expected to come off the bench, but it might make more sense for him to start based on the team's current build. Duncan has always been an elite three-point shooter, but last season he improved in other aspects of the game. He had numerous plays last year where he was taking defenders off the dribble and getting to the basket, which is something he had never done in his career. The spacing for Miami is much better with Duncan on the floor due to his ability to shoot the ball, but if he is going to take players off the dribble more and more, it will open up the offense. The continued growth of Duncan's on-ball game is an underrated aspect to pay attention to for the Heat this year.
Nikola Jovic: Heat fans were begging to see Jovic play last year and after numerous injuries, he got his shot in the starting lineup. Once he got a chance to start he never looked back and was the starter for the rest of the year. Jovic is a point-forward archetype with the ability to shoot the ball at a high level. As a starter, he averaged 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists a game while shooting 40% from three in just 22 minutes a night. Jovic showed a lot to be excited about including his shooting ability, his passing vision, and his ability to go coast to coast on the fast break at 6'10. He also greatly improved defensively as the season went along, showing the ability to stay in front of quicker players on switches. Jovic is a unique player who should take another leap this season in all aspects of the game, and can help bolster the Heat's offense this season. A 6'10 point forward who can shoot 40% from three is hard to find and if Jovic continues to develop, the sky is the limit for him.
Haywood Highsmith: Highsmith is not a household name to many, but those who are aware of who he is, know he is an elite wing defender and an improving offensive player. Last season he averaged just 6 points a game, but shot just under 40% from three, which was a huge improvement from his 34% shooting the year before. Highsmith is not the exciting player that Jovic or Jaquez is, but he is an elite defender and an improving shooter. He can be counted on in any game, to guard the opposing team's best perimeter player and make their night tough.
Pelle Larsson: Larsson was the Heat's second-round pick this off-season and he has a chance to play early on. Larsson is a 3-and-D wing from Arizona who brings a level of physicality to his game that fits right in with the Heat. After a quiet start to summer league, he found his grove, as he continuously got into the paint and drew fouls, along with hitting shots from deep. The Heat are high on Larsson's upside, and it is understandable given his current skill set. If he can consistently shoot the ball from three, Larsson will find a role on this team. He brings physicality on defense, and an underrated level of playmaking on offense.
Nassir Little: Little is the newest addition to Miami, having recently signed a non-guaranteed deal. He is an athletic wing defender who has flashed offensively at times but has dealt with injuries and inconsistent shooting for most of his career. While Little is just a flier for the Heat, he does provide upside. He is a former top recruit and first-round pick, and despite entering his sixth season, is still just 24 years old. The Heat have shown the ability to get the most out of players, and if they can unlock Little, they could have a legit rotation player and part of their future. Little is a good defender and that could get him playing time, but the upside and untapped potential of Little is what makes him an intriguing flier.
Keshad Johnson: Johnson is on a 2-way deal with the Heat, but after a fantastic summer league, there is belief he will be elevated to a standard contract as soon as Miami can do so. Johnson is a a 3-and-D wing with elite athleticism which he displayed numerous times in the summer league. It is rare for 2-way players to immediately have roles in the rotation, but Johnson could play for Miami early if he has a strong camp. The biggest question with him, is whether or not he can be a consistent shooter from three. After four years of struggling from beyond the arc at San Diego State, Johnson shot 39% at Arizona last year. If Johnson can be closer to the shooter he was at Arizona as opposed to San Diego State, he will find minutes easily due to his defensive ability.
Summary: Butler is the household name of this group, but the Heat have strong depth amongst their wings. From the continued development of Jaquez and Jovic, the stability of Highsmith and Robinson, the new additions of Larsson, Little, and Johnson, and of course Jimmy Butler, there is a lot to be excited about with the Heat's wing unit.
The Bigs- Bam Adebayo, Kel'el Ware, Kevin Love, Thomas Bryant:
Bam Adebayo: Despite never winning a Defensive Player of the Year award, Bam is the best defender in the league. He can guard 1-5 at an elite level and can play in any defensive system. Bam's calling card has been on the defensive end of the ball, but he has improved offensively every year of his career, and he should make a jump once again. He began shooting threes late last season, and he was pretty solid from beyond the arc, shooting 36% from three. It was a small sample size, but if Bam is going to truly extend his range, it will help take his game to another level and also open up the offense. After a strong showing in the Olympics this summer, Bam has gained more national recognition, which could lead to him finally taking home the DPOY trophy.
Kel'el Ware: After being taken in the first round by the Heat this off-season, Ware put on a show in summer league by blocking shots left and right, and showing off his range and post moves. He is a long-athletic big who brings an element to this Heat team they have been missing, which is true size. At 6'9, Bam is undersized compared to most centers, but Ware is a legit 7'0 tall. The Heat have not had a reliable 7-footer alongside Bam, since he arrived in Miami. Ware can stretch the floor offensively and anchor the paint defensively due to his height and wingspan. Heat fans have wanted another big so Bam can move to power forward at times, and Ware makes that a true possibility. He may not play much at first, but Ware should get more and more playing time as the season goes on. The lineups of Bam and Ware should be something fans should be very excited about.
Kevin Love: Love has been great for Miami since arriving in 2022-2023 after a buyout with the Cavs. He is towards the end of his career but he provides a floor spacer and a strong rebounder in limited minutes. Love can't play 30 minutes a game, but he showed last year he can provide strong minutes in short stints. There isn't much to say about him, other than he is a proven vet who brings stability to the front court for the Heat with his shooting and rebounding.
Thomas Bryant: Bryant is nothing more than depth for the Heat with the addition of Ware, but Bryant can provide energy and an offensive spark when inserted into the game. He is limited defensively, so he won't see much action, but he has an offensive skill set that will allow him to produce for Miami if needed.
Summary: The Heat's big room is headlined by Bam as he is arguably the most important player on this team. Ware brings new excitement as a backup and a potential frontcourt partner for Adebayo. Love is a reliable vet backup and Bryant brings energy at all times, which is always a good thing. The development of Bam's offensive game and the development of Ware are two key things to watch for this year.
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