Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts (Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts (Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After weeks of patience, it officially feels as if the Miami Heat are now poised to finalize their first-year roster under Giannis Antetokounmpo. At least the first iteration of it - the one that the Heat is likely going to enter training camp with.
Now that the signing of Klay Thompson is final and set in stone, NBA insider Marc Stein notes that all that is being decided now in Miami is whether they will carry 14 or 15 players heading into the regular season and, essentially, which direction to go with that final one or two roster spots.
"Now the Heat must decide whether they want to carry 14 or 15 players during the regular season. Nick Richards continues to be regarded as a prime candidate to sign if Miami elects to add another big man while Heat alumni Gabe Vincent and Keshad Johnson have also been under consideration."
The Heat have a few realistic options to choose from
Whether the Heat decides to head into camp with 14 or 15 rostered players, it does feel as if these three named above (Nick Richards, Gabe Vincent, Keshad Johnson) are going to factor in that decision one way or another.
If the Heat choose to sign one or two players, these three will likely be the group that they're deciding between.
Based on their recent history, it's likely that the Heat will enter training camp with 14 players in hopes that they could add a 15th before the stretch run. The idea behind that tactic is that the Heat may want to see what type of in-season buyout market develops, giving them the opportunity to sign a veteran player who may not be currently on the market.
The Heat is close to finalizing their roster
If that's how all this plays out, all that the Heat must sort through is whether they want to sign a guard, another wing, or add another body to their frontcourt depth.
What path will the Heat go down ultimately is anyone's guess, but it does feel as if they're close to finally making a decision. At this point, that final roster addition or two could happen at any point.
After watching the front office play the waiting game for the majority of the last few months, the idea that the roster is finally taking shape has to be considered a breath of fresh air for the fans who are anxiously awaiting the start of the new season.
For the first time all offseason long, it feels as if the Heat are finally on the verge of finalizing their first-year roster around Giannis. And that only means that the start of the season is right around the corner. It's, for the first time in a long time, an exciting time in Miami again.
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