Most gambling websites and analysts are picking the Miami Heat to win between 45 and 46 games this season after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason
The Miami Heat have been in Play-In Tournament purgatory the past few seasons.
They haven't been a legitimate contender since 2021-22 when they were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference but fell to the Boston Celtics. There was the run to the NBA Finals in 2023 but that was more of the team getting hot at the right time when they were the No. 8 seed.
Ever since, the Heat have fought just to make the Play-In Tournament before ultimately missing the playoffs last season for the first time in six seasons. Even with the offseason signing of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who they acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks, the Heat are still a middle-of-the-pack team in the Eastern Conference.
They have the dominant frontcourt of Antetokounmpo and center Bam Adebayo and the return of Andrew Wiggins will help. The problem is some feel they gave up too much for Antetokounmpo in the trade. Gone are Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis. All-Star guard Norman Powell Jr., is also no longer on the roster after leaving for the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat still have time to land another player but don't have much flexibility in terms of salary cap space. Several reports indicate they are trying to acquire DeMar DeRozan or Klay Thompson. Both are still effective but are considered aging former superstars.
DeRozan is perhaps the best fit after averaging 18.2 points last season for the Sacramento Kings. Thompson would provide shooting but would likely have to contribute in similar role as Ray Allen did in 2013 when he joined LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
As of now, some are still giving the Heat some respect. According to FanDuel, they are expected to win 45.5 games this season. The good news is that puts them out of the Play-In Tournament, based on last year's standings. The bad news is a No. 5 or No. 6 seed is still behind the likes of the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers, who added James during the summer.
Of course, it's still early. The Heat could make something happen to change the preseason outlook.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
