Miami, FL. – The NBA Playoffs continue, but the Miami Heat take the extra time off the court to evaluate the next steps for the future. After an underwhelming 43-39 regular season, battling through injuries and failing to make it out of the Play-In Tournament, changes are desperately needed.

There’s pressure on franchise President Pat Riley to deliver on adding a superstar to the roster. Another offseason to go “whale” hunting presents itself this summer, especially with the uncertainty of former Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks. The organization has intriguing young players and multiple tradable first-round picks to put together a strong package. Assistant coach Caron Butler revealed that there is a plan in play.

“I think anything is in the air,” he said on the Run it Back show. “Obviously, he [Riley] touched in the state of the Heat. The only thing we can do is control what we can control. That’s the player development of these guys coming in. He has a plan in mind and he’s going to execute it.”

The Heat will have a variety of important decisions to make, outside of landing a superstar. First-time All-Star guard Norman Powell enters unrestricted free agency. He averaged 21.7 points on 47 percent shooting, 38 percent from behind the arc, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals this past regular season.

However, the issue came down to availability, especially past All-Star weekend. He appeared in 58 total games, including 52 starts. Powell will turn 33 years old ahead of next season. The Heat have the 11-year veteran’s bird rights, which allow them to exceed cap space to re-sign him.

Despite Powell expressing interest in returning, the business of the league can get in the way of it, especially to acquire a superstar.

In annual fashion, All-Star guard Tyler Herro circulates in trade rumors. However, there is a strong possibility of it happening compared to recent years. Herro was sidelined for the majority of the regular season, appearing in only 33 total games. The 26-year-old had to recover from offseason surgery, then battled through foot and rib injuries.

Herro is extension eligible, but after an unsustainable individual season, the Heat could be looking to part ways with the former lottery pick.

The franchise is built around contending for championships, but being far from it, drastic changes are the only solution. They have the No. 13 pick in the upcoming draft, which could play a role in landing a superstar.

The Heat have extra time to prepare for the offseason, but depending on the transactions, it’s make-or-break.

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