5 Questions Facing Miami Heat Before Training Camp

Miami’s short offseason remains mostly unresolved. After losing to the Denver Nuggets in the Finals, the Heat have been linked to trades for Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal, the loss of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus via free agency and general speculation that their Finals run was as unsustainable as it was historic. Is this team a legitimate title contender as currently constructed or more like the version that was minutes away from being denied a postseason berth? There’s little clarity at the moment and, as such, questions loom large beyond the overarching theme of the team’s legitimacy. Here are some of them:

Can Tyler Herro Bounce Back?

It has, once again, been a difficult offseason for Herro. Another summer of being included in trade talks and of being devalued by NBA fans and media. There’s an extra sting this time around, as Miami’s improbale run to the Finals took place without Herro, leading many to believe that the run happened because of his absence. In previous seasons, Herro has bounced back to steadily improve over the course of his four-year career despite the swirling rumors, upping his scoring output to become the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year, and then emerging as as reliable starter last season. It’s doutbful that Herro has reached his potential just yet, but he’ll certainly have to improve on last season’s shooting numbers and there’s the hope that he’ll be able to draw more fouls as a primary offensive option. But with Herro’s tenure in Miami likely to end – a matter of when, not if – will the pressure set him back?

Who Starts at Point Guard?

The loss of Vincent in free agency is a blow to Miami’s chances of repeating as Eastern Conference Champions. With Kyle Lowry missing significant time during the regular season and rarely standing out as a starter, Vincent filled in admirably and provided some incredible scoring punch during the postseason. But with Vincent signing in Los Angeles, Miami’s options are limited. There’s Lowry, still, who remains the top option. But at age 37, there are doubts as to whether he can function as a starter for a full regular season. Aside from Lowry, Dru Smith and Jamaree Bouyea are the only other “point guards” on the roster, but neither have significant playing experience as starters and neither has found a way to excel in limited stints at the NBA or G-League levels. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra might have to tinker with his rotation, potentially starting Herro or newly-signed Josh Richardso as de facto point guards. If neither option seems optimal, there’s also the reality that Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo do their fair share of organizing the offense, less dependent on the guard role than in years past. But can any of Spoelstra’s limited options do just enough to keep Miami’s offense afloat?

Does Miami Come Back Hungrier For More?

With three extended playoff runs over the last four seasons, Miami’s drive to win has rarely been questioned. Still, how do Butler and the Heat respond after getting to the Finals and falling short again? Staying motivated throughout the regular season has waned on and off during that stretch, relying on Butler’s postseason heroics – and the occasional role player breakout – to carry the team. That approach isn’t reliable (even if it has been sustained, thus far), hence the pursuit of another megawatt superstar to pair along Butler and Adebayo. Miami failed in their pursuit of Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell in 2022, and responded with a lackluster 44-38 campaign. Will the team responded similarly this year if Lillard isn’t in a Heat uniform in the next few weeks or will the loss in the Finals provide a much-needed spark during the doldrums of the regular season? Butler seems comfortable in his current role of ho-humming his way (albeit with All-Star efficiency) through 82 games so if a spark is to be found it’ll have to be from someone else.

Who’s Miami’s Next Breakout Contributor?

It’s become almost a well-intentioned joke that Miami’s vaunted “culture” will turn a fringe player into an invaluable contributor (Vincent and Strus are the latest examples). But can Miami find that success with its current roster options? Smith and Bouyea are possibilities, especially if thrust into a significant role. Two stronger candidates, however, seem poised for a bigger role and have shown enough flashes to provide some optimism: Orlando Robinson and Haywood Highsmith. Robinson had a strong Summer League run, establishing himself as a Miami’s top scorer and balancing an inside/outside game that belied his 7-foot frame. Robinson might emerge as Adebayo’s primary backup, but will face a challenge in veteran Thomas Bryant.

As for Highsmith, he has the type of defensive versatility that Spoelstra has typically relied on. The problem is on the other end, where Highsmith has rarely stood out in his limited opportunities. Highsmith has long compared himself to former teammate PJ Tucker, a dogged defender that has carved out a successful career after failing to establish himself during his early playing days. But Highsmith isn’t nearly as solid as a 3-point shooter – yet – and has to be able to provide enough complementary scoring to warrant an increased role. If he shows off that ability consistently during camp, there’s a possibility that Highsmith might even be in the team’s starting lineup.

Will the Damian Lillard Trade Get Done?

Finally, the one question that renders the others all moot. The acquisition of Lillard, answers so many of Miami’s other problems providing the spark, offensive firepower and superstar wattage that helps everything else fall easily into place. Ideally, the Heat would be able to finalize Lillard’s acquisition before Media Day on October 2, providing the optimistic fresh start that contending teams usually display heading into the start of training camp. If the trade isn’t finalized soon – or not at all – then Herro, Lowry and young players like Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jacquez, Jr. will face an endless barrage of questions and the the general doubt that comes with not knowing if each day will be your last in a Heat uniform. Ironically, the team last faced the same questions in 2018, when their pursuit of Butler hung over the start of camp and into the start of the regular season. Dwyane Wade’s final season provided a welcome distraction at the time and Butler was eventually sent to Philadelphia, putting a young roster’s concerns to rest. How this current iteration of the Heat will compartmentalize the ongoing trade saga while attempting to play their best could cast a shadowy pall that darkens an entire season.