In opting to limit their trade deadline activity to shipping out power forward KZ Okpala for a future draft pick, the Heat seemed to express confidence in the current makeup of their roster. Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel notes that the Heat’s success hasn’t quite been predicated the super-team model used by clubs like the Nets and Sixers, or Miami’s prior title-contending incarnation.
This Heat team, currently boasting a 37-20 record, was built through some key free agency additions in All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler, point guard Kyle Lowry and power forward P.J. Tucker, along with the internal development of players like center Bam Adebayo, and guards Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson.
There’s more out of South Beach:
- The Heat were unable to trade a first-round draft selection before 2028, until they changed the terms of the first-round draft pick they owe the Thunder in the Okpala deal, pushing it back from 2023 to 2025. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald considers how Miami’s newfound ability to now move its 2022 or 2023 first-round pick could impact its team-building plans during the 2022 offseason.
- Heat sixth man Tyler Herro continues to sit with a knee contusion, but Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports (Twitter link) that an MRI revealed that the third-year guard has not suffered any structural damage in the knee.
- The Heat made some adjustments along the fringes of their roster today, promoting reserve guard Caleb Martin to their 15-man roster and adding forward Haywood Highsmith via a 10-day deal. Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald examines what those choices mean for Miami going forward. “It has been a joy to watch him work and commit to the process and then produce winning basketball,” head coach Erik Spoelstra said of Martin, who has significantly outplayed the initial two-way deal he signed with the Heat ahead of the 2021/22 season, emerging as a solid shooter and impressive defender.
Go Heat!
Heat back court bench
Herro and Strus, Martin
Add Dragic
They are 2nd best team in the East
It seems that Celtics and Bulls are not willing to pay big luxury tax
I don’t think we can truly know what order the top teams in the East may fall come the end of the season just yet..
The Nets should be healthy by then, and they will have possibly incorporated Simmons, Curry, and Drummond.
We’ve seen what Miami can do, but they’ve also rarely been at full health
The Bucks added Ibaka but lost DiVincenzo, so we shall see how they are able to shake out
The 76ers have to work in Harden, and overcome tue loss of Curry
The Celtics are actually coming on really strong as of late.
Cleveland could get even better as their players grow, and they integrate Caris LaVert.
The Bulls were beasting when they were fully healthy, but they haven’t had their takented and young starting 4 Patrick Williams all season. Plus, White, Green, Caruso, Ball, DJJ, and Dosunmu have all proven to be very solid complimentary pieces, helping instill a tough minded approach from this team. HOWEVER, they have to get healthy to make any kind of run..
Then, there is also Charlotte who has surprised alot of people making their way up the ladder in the East..Can they continue to gel and grow..
Idk, I might be forgetting a team off the top of my head, but there are still ALOT of questions to be answered before we can even see who has an edge going into the playoffs..
You forgot the Raptors.
Atlanta calling!
Serious contenders? I’d think so.
Certainly a tough and talented team.