The Miami Heat impressed many early on in the season but have quickly regressed to the team many expected them to be. After what was viewed as a middling offseason, the team started off hot, winning seven of their first 11 games. However, the team came back down to Earth and now sit in the Play-In tier of the Eastern Conference standings.
The Heat were one team viewed as a wild card throughout the offseason. After trading Jimmy Butler at last season's trade deadline, fans were left wondering if the team would embrace a full-on rebuild or if the team would try contending in the East. However, at this point of the season, it seems like the team has slightly improved from last season but haven't made a big leap in the standings after their impressive start.
ESPN released an article, highlighting one midseason lesson for every NBA franchise. The Heat's lesson: "Miami's new-look offense has stalled."
"Miami's new free-flowing offense created early season buzz but has since slumped to 20th in the league in efficiency, in line with the team's past three seasons (21st, 21st and 25th)," the article wrote. "Getting just 11 games from All-Star guard Tyler Herro has been part of the issue, but the Heat's lack of a true floor-raising offensive talent has been obvious. And Miami might be in even worse shape had the franchise not traded for All-Star hopeful Norman Powell and his 23.7 points per game."
Offseason acquisition Norman Powell led the charge for the new-look Heat and the team was clicking offensively, even without their All-Star from last season, Tyler Herro. The guard suffered an ankle injury in Oct. and missed the first month of the season, joining the lineup in late Nov. Now, in late Jan., he is included in multiple trade rumors as his contract is set to expire following next season.
With multiple star players reportedly on the trade block such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball, the Heat would make a lot of sense as a destination for any of those players to help re-energize this stagnant offense. Whether they view the deadline as buyers or sellers remains to be seen.
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