Since making the NBA Finals four straight seasons from 2011-2014, the Miami Heat have missed the playoffs three times. However, one thing that has remained the same is the team’s fortitude. Miami has proven they can be a tough out in the NBA playoffs. They showed it in 2020 when they made a run to the Finals. Some have discredited the Heat’s 2020 Finals run, but it still counts as an NBA Finals appearance. This year, Miami has shown they can be championship contenders with the team clinching the No. 1 seed in their conference.
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At 53-29, the Heat had their best regular season record since 2013-14 when they went on to the NBA Finals. This gave fans hope that this team could do it again. In the playoffs, Miami looked like a team that was a serious threat to go to the championship after they blew past the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. Then, injuries started to stack up. Kyle Lowry was limited for the majority of the playoffs with a hamstring injury, P.J. Tucker kept getting banged up, Jimmy Butler had an ongoing knee issue, and Tyler Herro had a groin injury that sidelined him for three games.
The End Result
Miami ultimately lost to the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference finals. Team president Pat Riley and the Heat front office are now back to the drawing board. Last summer’s acquisitions certainly helped improve the team, but they still did not win an NBA title. After falling one win shy of the NBA Finals, the goal will be to evaluate the roster and see what steps are needed to capture that elusive fourth title. With that being said, let’s take a look at questions the team will have to address this offseason.
Whale Hunting?
Outside of watching the Heat play, roster transactions may be the Heat fans’ favorite thing to follow. Throughout his Heat career, Riley has not been shy at chasing star talent. He did it in the late 90s when he acquired Alonzo Mourning via trade. In 2004, Riley made another huge trade when he acquired Shaquille O’Neal. Six years later, he made a huge free agency splash by signing Lebron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. And in 2019, Jimmy Butler was acquired through sign-and-trade. Bradley Beal, Donovan Mitchell, and Damian Lillard are players Miami would love to get their hands on. However, there are currently no indications that those players want out of their situations. Also unknown is how teams feel about bringing in Miami’s potential trade packages.
What Happens with Duncan Robinson?
After re-signing with Miami on a bigger contract, Robinson began the season in the Heat starting lineup. He continued to be one of the better three-point shooters in the league, tied for seventh in the league in made threes (232). For the year, he shot 37.2 percent from downtown. Unfortunately, he took a step back in three-point percentage after shooting over 40 percent the previous two seasons. As the season progressed, Robinson’s role with the team decreased because of his defense. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Max Strus, and had to come off the bench. In the playoffs, Robinson often found himself out of the rotation and only played due to injuries to teammates.
This offseason, expect to hear his name a lot in trade talks. Robinson is guaranteed over $54.4 million over the next four years of his contract, with the last year being an early termination option. His contract could be used as a filler in trades for a star player. There’s also the possibility Miami ships him for a player who fills a roster need. The Heat are in need of another frontcourt player as Tucker insurance. In the end, this will be a situation to watch as the offseason progresses.
Possible Tyler Herro Extension?
Herro is coming off the best season of his career. As a sixth man, he averaged 20.7 points, five rebounds, four assists, and shot 39.9 percent from downtown in 66 games. He improved as a three-level scorer and playmaker. Whenever Miami’s stars missed time, Herro stepped up in their absence and kept the team afloat in the standings. As a result, he ended up winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. However, he struggled during the postseason and was sidelined for multiple games with a groin injury.
According to Spotrac, Herro will be eligible for five years at $186 million. With three max players already on the roster, Miami is not expected to offer anything close to that. ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes the Heat would prefer a four-year $90 million deal. It could also come down to whether a star player asks out and requests a trade. If so, Herro would likely be included in the deal for that player. The Heat loves what Herro provides for the team but won’t hesitate to move him for a star. Don’t be surprised if this drags into the October deadline.
Can Miami Keep Their Depth?
Other than the three above questions, the Heat will also have to make decisions on their free agents this summer. Miami’s depth was one of their biggest strengths during the regular season. Expect Miami to try to keep their depth intact. The Heat would love to bring Victor Oladipo back after his defensive masterclass in the postseason. Caleb Martin is also another player Miami would like to keep as well. Unless a team overpays for them, expect both players to be back in the fold next season. Other than that, expect a quiet free agency from Miami. Their only avenue to adding new talent will have to come through trade. Overall, it’s been a great season for the Heat, but there’s still room for improvement. Fans have to wait to see what happens this offseason.
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