The Heat are a world away from the team that made the NBA Finals just three seasons ago. Their 2025 was defined by disappointment and reality, as they came to terms with the fact that Jimmy Butler no longer was the engine that could drive them to playoff success. Last year was the first season since 2021 where Miami didn’t win a single playoff game.
Without Butler, their focus turns to younger guys like Tyler Herro (who is hurt), Jaime Jaquez, and first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, with veteran scoring from Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins attempting to make something out of a strange roster. Bam Adebayo has anchored a good defense every year he has been in Miami, and his presence should add stability to a lot of moving pieces. With the East being so weak this upcoming season, Miami is probably telling themselves that they can find a way to sneak into the playoffs with a chance to win a series.
It will probably be better for the Heat’s functionality with Jimmy Butler gone this year. He was a dark cloud over the team, at least from a media perspective, for the entirety of the season before he got traded. They finished last season 10-4 (including the play-in), before getting swept by Cleveland in the first round. That is something to build on. Erik Spoelstra is great coach, Kel’el Ware has shown flashes of insanity, and a Herro/Powell backcourt should be as explosive as anyone. They won 37 games amidst all of the distractions in 2025, and I think 40 to 42 wins is possible in 2026. If there is any year where “Heat culture” will rear its head, this is the one.
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