Heat season preview: A transition period to find the next core to build the team. Another round trip in the new season?

Review of last season

The 24-25 season was a turbulent year for the Heat. Their relationship with Butler broke down and they eventually parted ways in February this year. The team had 37 wins and 45 losses in the regular season, ranking 10th in the Eastern Conference. After the play-offs began, the team first defeated the Bulls 109-90 in the ninth- and tenth-place matchups, and then defeated the Hawks 123-114 in the second round of the play-offs, successfully entering the playoffs.

In the first round of the playoffs against the Eastern Conference's No. 1 Cavaliers, the Heat were swept 0-4.

The main operation during the offseason is

a two-year 24 million contract extension for Davion Mitchell. Mitchell is the No. 9 pick in 2021 and has played for three teams: the Kings, Raptors, and Heat so far in his career. He performed well last season. He played a total of 74 games in the regular season, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1 steal per game, shooting 46.8% from the field, 39.8% from three-point range, and 69% from the free throw line. He played 4 games in the playoffs, averaging 15 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 0.8 steals per game, while shooting 61% from the field, 50% from the three-point range, and 42.9% from the free throw line. This summer, the Heat extended his contract with him for two years and 24 million.

Duncan Robinson signed and then left the team. Dun Luo left the team this summer. The specific method was sign first and then trade. The Heat got Fontechio in the sign trade. Fontecchio has one year left on his contract with $8.3 million left. He averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game with the Pistons last season, and he still has a certain level of combat effectiveness.

The three-party transaction introduced Powell. This is the Heat's most important operation this summer. They introduced Powell in a three-way deal with the Clippers and Jazz. The chips sent were Love, Kyle Lee and a second-round pick. This is a major reinforcement for the Heat. Powell played 60 games in the regular season last season, averaging 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 41.8% from three-point range, setting a career high in scoring. He played 7 games in the playoffs, averaging 16 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

As for Powell, what is currently worthy of attention is that he only has the last year of his contract left. If he does not renew his contract with the Heat in advance, he will become a completely free agent next summer.

Send Highsmith to the Nets. This was a deal made to reduce the team's total salary. The Heat traded Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Nets in exchange for a protected 2026 second-round pick (the pick is protected 31-55).

Renewed contract with Drew Smith for 7.9 million in three years. Drew Smith suffered from anterior cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon injuries in the past two seasons and was reimbursed twice for the season. He played in 14 games last season, averaging 6.2 points and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 51% from the field and 53% from the three-point range. The two parties completed the contract extension this summer. The first year of the new contract is guaranteed, but the second two years are currently not guaranteed.

Exercise team options for Jaime Jr. and Weir. The Heat have exercised team options for Jaime Jr. and Weir this summer for the 26-27 season. Both of them are currently young players being trained by the team.

Jovic renewed his contract in advance for 62.4 million in four years. Jovic is the No. 27 pick in 2022 and is eligible for an early contract extension this summer. In the end, the two parties reached a new four-year contract worth 62.4 million yuan. His performance last season was acceptable, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 37.1% from the three-point range. He also performed well in the European Championships this summer, averaging 12.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 60% from the field, 52.4% from the three-point range and 92.3% from the free throw line. The new contract between both parties has an average salary of 15.6 million, which is not expensive.

Current lineup

Guards: Davion Mitchell, Rozier, Kasparas Yakuchonis (No. 20 pick this year), Herro, Powell, Larsson, Drew Smith.

Forwards: Jaime Jr., Jovic, Fontechio, Wiggins, Keisha Johnson, Gardner (two-way contract), Achiuwa (non-guaranteed contract).

Insider: Adebayor, Weir, Golkin (two-way contract)

New season preview

Supplemented Powell, but still sad in the first round?

With the Heat's strength and experience, it is not difficult to reach the playoffs in the current Eastern Conference, but the upper limit of this team is not high. Hiero, Powell and Adebayor are all capable players, but it is an exaggeration to say that they can serve as the first core of a championship team. The top three in the Eastern Conference in the new season are likely to be the Cavaliers, Knicks and Bucks. If the Heat end up participating in the playoffs as No. 6 to No. 8 in the Eastern Conference, it will be very difficult for them to get past the first round.

Keep the money and aim for the free market in the next two years?

On the current Heat, only Adebayor and Jovic have long-term contracts. Reba has 4 years left on his contract, with a player option for the last year. Jovic has a total contract length of 5 years after early renewal this summer, and other players have no more than two years. Among them, Rozier, Powell, and Fontechio all have only one year left on their contracts. Judging from this situation, the Heat may have great salary flexibility in the summer of 2026 and 27. In the 27-year free market, there may be two big fish in Antetokounmpo and Jokic.

The Heat also have trading assets. The team's first round in the next seven years will only be traded in the first round in 2027 (in the hands of the Hornets, the first 14 picks are protected. If they keep it, the Hornets will get the Heat's first round in 28 years), and they have the ability to make a big splash in the trading market.

Record& Ranking Prediction

With the fall of the Celtics and Pacers, the competition for Eastern Conference playoff seats in the new season is not fierce. The Heat may directly advance to the playoffs, but the top four in the Eastern Conference will still be difficult for them. There are the Cavaliers, Knicks, and Bucks. The Pistons and Magic are also currently strong. If the 76ers can stay healthy, they will also join the competition..

Taking into account the strength of the Heat and the competitive environment in the Eastern Conference, the author predicts that the Heat will win around 45 games in the new season and rank 6th to 7th in the Eastern Conference.