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2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Miami Heat

Matt Hanifan / NBA / October 23, 2024

2024-25 NBA Season Preview: Miami Heat

The 2024-25 NBA season has officially arrived! To continue our team preview series, we will be delving into the ever-so-feisty Miami Heat. Let’s jump right into it!

What happened last year?

Riding high off the most unexpected trip to the NBA Finals in league history, everything that went wrong for the Heat went wrong. They had a franchise-record 35 starting lineups due to myriad injuries, but still somehow managed to win 46 games with the NBA’s fifth-best defense. They struggled offensively, however, which was ultimately their demise, finishing just a game out of a top-6 seed in the Eastern Conference. In their inaugural play-in game against Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending sprained MCL, all but ending their season. They lost in five games to the eventual Champion Celtics, capping off a taxing season for Erik Spoelstra and Co.

Offseason Recap:

The Heat were expected to make changes to their current core, but didn’t. Miami did sign Alec Burks to a one-year deal while bringing back Kevin Love, Thomas Bryant and Haywood Highsmith. They drafted Kel’el Ware with the No. 15 pick while selecting savvy guard Pelle Larsson No. 44 overall. The highlight was watching Bam Adebayo and Erik Spoelstra win gold in the Olympics.

Projected Starting 5:

Terry Rozier, G – Rozier missed the team’s final 11 games due to a neck injury that put him in a neck brace. He’s one of the Heat’s most dynamic shot creators and has developed a strong two-man game with Bam Adebayo.

Tyler Herro, G – Herro missed a career-high 40 games last year due to foot and ankle injuries. He hasn’t been the most healthy player when they’ve needed him to, but he’s continued to grow offensively, though he needs to improve his ability to get to the rim and draw fouls.

Jimmy Butler, F – You’d be hard-pressed to find 10 more impactful players than Butler when he’s engaged, even when he doesn’t have the stats to show for it. He wasn’t always engaged last year, dealing with a tragic death in his family. But in a contract season, I’m expecting Butler to have one of his most impactful seasons yet, should he stay healthy.

Nikola Jovic, F – Jovic was one of the Heat’s lone bright spots last year, starting 41 of the team’s final 44 games a year ago. He’s got excellent vision and court awareness, plus he made remarkable strides defensively while developing into a reliable 3-point shooter.

Bam Adebayo, C – You could argue that Adebayo is the most versatile defender in the NBA while also being the best defensive player in the sport. Nobody is more scheme versatile than him on a night-to-night basis while carrying the responsibility he has offensively.

2024-25 NBA Preseason Power Rankings

Notable Reserves:

Jaime Jaquez Jr., F – Jaime Jaquez Jr. blossomed last season with the Heat, starting a team-high 75 games. If Pat Riley calls you a “warrior,” you’re probably doing something right.

Kevin Love, F/C – Love was one of the NBA’s best backup big men last year, but he’s not getting any younger, entering his age-36 season.

Duncan Robinson, F – Duncan Robinson is one of the best shooters in the sport, but dealt with a back injury late last season that may never fully heal. I’m not a doctor, but facet syndrome is tricky. When he’s on the court, he’s deadly. But will his body consistently allow him to be?

Pelle Larsson, G/F – Buy stock while you have the chance.

Biggest X-Factor: Terry Rozier-Tyler Herro

How this dynamic works in the backcourt could ultimately shape the Heat season. Rozier has experience playing off-ball alongside LaMelo Ball, but Herro is not him. Neither player is an above-average defender, either, which could compromise Miami’s back line in certain situations.