The Miami Heat were one of the most dominant NBA teams of the last decade. They won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, but their dominance has waned since then. What are some things that the Heat could do to improve their team?
The Miami Heat has a lot of work to do in the offseason. They have an aging roster and need to make some changes. Read more in detail here: miami heat roster.
After a dismal first-round loss in the NBA Playoffs in 2021, the Miami Heat realized they needed to make some adjustments to get back into contention. As a result, the club completed a blockbuster deal to acquire Kyle Lowry is a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers from the Toronto Raptors, while also sending Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa in the other way.
Along with Lowry, the Heat signed Tucker, P.J. and Morris, Markieff, as well as Duncan Robinson is a character in the film Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler to long-term contracts. Despite the departures of Kendrick Nunn, Trevor Ariza, and Andre Iguodala, Miami should be able to compete in the Eastern Conference with their summer acquisitions.
The Heat received a B+ in the offseason.
Kyle Lowry
Lowry was connected to the Heat before the trade deadline, but they decided to wait until Free Agency to make a play for him. With his contract with the Raptors about to expire, it seemed inevitable that Lowry would go, and he landed in one of the finest places imaginable.
Miami was in desperate need of another dynamic backcourt player with experience and leadership. All of these boxes are checked by Lowry. Miami was in desperate need of a genuine point guard who could not only score but also pass the ball well. Last season in Toronto, the 35-year-old averaged 17.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. Butler and Bam Adebayo were the Heat’s playmakers in 2020/21, with Butler leading the team in assists. We all know Jimmy Buckets is a terrific passer who is selfless, but now that Lowry has joined the team, he can concentrate on scoring while Adebayo can focus on dominating in the paint.
Robinson and Tyler Herro are just two of Miami’s many shooters. With Lowry on board, their games will be elevated as well, as he will find them more open looks due to his excellent basketball IQ. The Heat are already a good defensive team, but Lowry improves their defense even more. This was an outstanding signing for Miami in every way. Sure, losing Dragic is a blow, but Lowry adds playoff experience and a championship mindset to Miami.
Duncan Robinson
Giving Robinson $90 million over five years may sound like a lot of money, but he’s proved to be worth it. Robinson, a former Michigan star, had a down year in 2020/21, averaging 13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, but he succeeded where he’s supposed to: shooting. Last season, the 27-year-old made 41% of his three-point attempts and had a career high of 42.5 percent from downtown. In today’s game, Robinson’s ability to make shots from wherever on the floor is very important to any team. They’re by far the greatest shooters on the Heat, along with Tyler Herro. The front office did an excellent job of keeping Robinson around for the foreseeable future.
P.J. Tucker
Tucker’s addition to the Heat’s defense has only improved the team’s defense. When he arrived in March, he instantly improved the Bucks’ defense, helping Giannis Antetokounmpo and company capture their first NBA championship in 50 years. Tucker adds more toughness, grit, and passion to Miami. He’s a true grinder who takes pleasure in shutting down opponents night after night. Tucker will be ready to run it back and fight for another championship with a good Heat squad in 2022 after winning one. While his attacking output is modest, the veteran makes up for it in other ways.
Markieff Morris
Morris struggled with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020/21, scoring only 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 31% from long range. Morris, who will most likely play on the Heat’s bench, has proved to be a capable three-point shooter in his career, with a 34.1 percent clip. Like Tucker, the striker is a good defender and adds a certain amount of toughness to South Beach. Morris should be able to shoot the ball more effectively now that he has more playmakers around him. Off the bench, this is a great component for the Heat. It’s also just a one-year contract, so there’s no risk if it doesn’t work out.
Victor Oladipo is a basketball player who plays for the Indiana Pacers
Oladipo hasn’t played much since joining the Heat, and he’ll be out for the most of next season due to surgery. However, at $2.6 million for a year, this is a low-risk move for Miami. Oladipo has the potential to be an above-average scorer and facilitator if he can stay healthy, and he might complement Lowry in the Heat backcourt. Oladipo averaged 21.2 points, 5.0 assists, and shot 40.7 percent from the field in 20 games with the Rockets in 2020/21 before being dealt to Miami. He only appeared in four games under Erik Spoelstra before being benched, but he has a lot of promise. It’s just a question of remaining on the court.
The Heat have had a fantastic offseason.
Overall, Miami’s NBA summer in 2021 should be regarded as a tremendous success. They bolstered their defense with more tenacious defenders, skilled scorers, and shooters. While Iguodala, Nunn, Ariza, and Dragic aren’t perfect, they’ve done a good job of replacing them.
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