The Heat Season Preview: Looking for the next transition period to build the core of the team. Is there another round of the new season?

Last season review The 24-25 season was a turbulent year for the Heat, with their relationship with Butler breaking down and eventually parting ways in February this year. The team has 37 wins and 45 losses in the regular season, ranking 10th in the Eastern Conference. After the playoffs began, the team defeated the Bulls 109-90 in the ninth and ten matches, and then defeated the Hawks 123-114 in the second round of the playoffs, successfully entering the playoffs.

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

The main operation of the offseason is

24 million contract renewal for two years. Mitchell was the No. 9 pick in 2021 and has played for three teams, the Kings, Raptors and Heat. He performed well last season. He played in a total of 74 games in the regular season, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1 steal, shooting percentage of 46.8%, three-point shooting percentage of 39.8%, and free throw shooting percentage of 69%. He played in 4 games in the playoffs, averaging 15 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 0.8 steals, shooting percentage of 61%, three-point shooting percentage of 50%, and free throw shooting percentage of 42.9%. This summer, the Heat renewed his contract with a two-year contract of 24 million.

Duncan Robinson signed first and then left the team. Deng Luo left the team this summer, the specific way was to sign first and then exchange, and the Heat won Fontechio in the signing. Fontechio has $8.3 million left in his contract, and he averaged 5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game with the Pistons last season, and he still has a certain combat power.

The three-party transaction introduced Powell. This is the most important operation of the Heat this summer. Powell was introduced in their three-party transactions, the Clippers and the Jazz, and the chips they gave were Love, Li Kaile 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, with a three-point shooting percentage of 41.8%, scoring a career high. He played in 7 games in the playoffs, averaging 16 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

For Powell, it is worth noting that his contract is only last year left. If he does not renew his contract with the Heat in advance, he will become a full free agent next summer.

Send Highsmith to the Nets. This is a deal made to reduce the team's total salary, with the Heat trading Highsmith with a 2032 second round pick to the Nets for a protected 2026 second round pick (this draft pick is protected 31-55).

3 years, 7.9 million yuan renewed Drew Smith. Drew Smith has suffered injuries to the ACL and Achilles tendon in the past two seasons, and has been reimbursed for two seasons. She has played 14 games last season, averaging 6.2 points and 1.5 steals per game, shooting percentage of 51% and three-point shooting percentage of 53%. The two parties completed the contract renewal this summer. The new contract is guaranteed for the first year and is not guaranteed for the next two years.

Perform Jaime and Welter Team Options. The Heat have executed Jaime Jr. and Welter's 26-27 season team options this summer, and both of them are young players that the team is developing.

4 years, Jovic renewal was 62.4 million in advance. Jovic is the No. 27 show in 2022 and is eligible for an early renewal this summer. In the end, the two sides reached a new contract of 62.4 million in four years. He performed well last season, averaging 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, shooting percentage of 45.6% and 37.1% of three-pointers. He also played well in the European Championship this summer, averaging 12.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, shooting percentage of 60%, three-point shooting percentage of 52.4%, and free throw shooting percentage of 92.3%. The new contract of both parties is 15.6 million yuan, which is not expensive.

Current lineup

defenders: David Mitchell, Rozier, Casparas Yacuzzonis (20th pick this year), Sheero, Powell, Lasson, Drew Smith.

Forwards: Jaime Jr., Jovic, Fontekio, Wiggins, Kesha Johnson, Gardner (two-way contract), Achouva (unsecurity contract).

Inside: Adebayo, Weir, Gorkin (two-way contract)

New season preview

supplemented Powell, but still sad in the first round?

With the strength and experience of the Heat, it is not difficult to enter the playoffs in the current Eastern Conference, but the upper limit of this team is not high. Herro, Powell and Adebayo are all capable players, but if they can be the first core of the championship team, it is a big talk. The top three in the Eastern Conference in the new season are likely to be the Cavaliers, the Knicks and the Bucks. If the Heat eventually participate in the playoffs as 6th to 8th in the Eastern Conference, it will be difficult for them to pass the first round.

Save money and aim at the free market in the next two years?

Currently, the only ones with long-term contracts in this Heat are Adebayo and Jovic. Reba still has 4 years left in the contract and the last year's player option. After Jovic renews the contract early this summer, the total length of the contract will be 5 years, and the other players will not exceed two years. Among them, Rozier, Powell, and Fontechio have only one year left in the contract. Judging from this situation, the Heat may have great salary flexibility in the summer of 26 and 27. In the 27-year free market, there may be two big fish Antetokounmpo and Jokic.

The Heat also currently have trading assets. The team only has the first round of 27 years in the next seven years (in the hands of the Hornets, the top 14 picks are protected. If it is kept, the Hornets will win the first round of the Heat in 28 years), and have the ability to do a big game in the trading market.

Record& ranking forecast

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

Considering the Heat's strength and the competitive environment in the East, the author predicts that the Heat will win about 45 wins in the new season, ranking 6th to 7th in the East.