Of course, it always disappointing to lose in the NBA Finals. Falling short of your goal always hurts. Despite the loss, the Miami Heat still had a great season. They just ran into a great Los Angeles Lakers team with two superstar talents in Anthony Davis and Lebron James. With a 75-1 odds of reaching the NBA Finals, the Heat did it. Despite Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo battling injuries, the Heat pushed the Lakers to six games. That should be an accomplishment itself.
This run proved that the Heat are built for title contention in the future. They have a system built in place that’s very similar to the Golden State Warriors. Like the Warriors, Miami’s offense involves constant ball movement, cutting, off-ball screens, and shooting. They certainly do not have players like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson but they have elite shooters in Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro that defenses have to constantly watch. Give them space and they’ll make you pay.
Adebayo’s ascension to All-Star status has also played a huge role in Miami’s run. The Heat’s center showed he can do it all on the floor. He can guard literally every position on the court. On offense, he’s shown his ability as a playmaker from the post and elbows, similar to what Draymond Green does for the Warriors. He’s only 23 years old and has much more room to grow. Miami also has an established star in Jimmy Butler, who’s coming off an impressive Finals run.
With the addition of Butler, Miami is once again an appealing destination for star players. Miami has a great city, no-state income taxes, an attractive roster, and a stable organization. But first, the plan this offseason will most likely involve re-signing Dragic and Jae Crowder. Both Crowder and Dragic have played huge roles in the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals. With an eye towards to the 2021 free agency class, the team will likely offer both players huge one-year deals. Miami also could try to make moves to fill the holes in their roster.
Miami’s most exciting moves could happen the following offseason. The Heat are expected to have approximately $50 million guaranteed on its books. They’ll have the ability to sign a max player and retain most of its core players. The 2021 free agency class is expected to be loaded with stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard. If a star player like Bradley Beal requests a trade, Miami could be players for that as well. Heat president Pat Riley has a history of making blockbuster trades. If there’s a move that’ll improve the team’s chances, he’ll pull the trigger.
Whether it’s through free agency or trade, Miami has the flexibility to make big moves. So if you think they’re done, think again. If anything, they’re just getting started.
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