While there are now not many people left on the free agent market and the workforce, except for upheaval via the expected trades of Damian Lillard and James Harden, is almost complete, it’s time to take stock of the first summer for all 30 NBA franchises.
After Detroit, Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte, PortlandThen Orlando, Washingtonand finally Indiana, UtahDallas, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Toronto, Minnesota, Atlanta, and the Lakers, it’s Miami’s turn to be scrutinized, even if the franchise remains on stand-by, awaiting the long-awaited arrival by Damian Lillard.
After a season rich in lessons and various galleys, Erik Spoelstra’s troops have achieved the feat of returning to the NBA finals, three years after their last appearance. The Heat are the first team to reach the Finals out of the play-in. This historic performance will keep a taste of unfinished business, because after defying the odds without home advantage against Milwaukee, New York and then Boston, the Floridians failed against the Nuggets.
Two months before the resumption and awaiting what would be the blockbuster deal of the offseason with the arrival of Damian Lillard, Miami has therefore only made adjustments so far. Max Strus has gone to the Cavs, and will be replaced by Josh Richardson, returning to the Heat four years after his departure. The loss of Gabe Vincent, who preferred to take a few million more from the Lakers, was harder to digest. Inside, Thomas Bryant will compensate for the departure of Cody Zeller (and Omer Yurtseven), without forgetting Jaime Jaquez Jr, the rookie chosen in 18th position who could point the tip of his nose on the wing.
It therefore remains to know the terms of the possible trade that would send Damian Lillard to Florida to be able to draw up the summer results of Miami.
SEASON 2022/23
44 wins – 38 losses (13th, tied with Clippers and Warriors)
25th attack: 112.3 points scored on 100 possessions
9th defense: 112.8 points conceded on 100 possessions
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES
Arrivals : Jaime Jaquez Jr (18th choice), Josh Richardson, Thomas Bryant,
Departures : Victor Oladipo, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Cody Zeller, Omer Yurtseven
WORKFORCE 2023/24
Leaders : Kyle Lowry
Full-backs/wingers : Tyler Herro, Josh Richardson, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Nikola Jovic
Interiors : Haywood Highsmith, Kevin Love, Thomas Bryant, Orlando Robinson, Bam Adebayo
THE LIKELY MAJOR FIVE
Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, Bam Adebayo
THE OBJECTIVE
One last step to take. As in 2020, the Heat surprised everyone in the East to climb to the NBA Finals. But like three years ago, the Floridians finally cracked in their final confrontation against Denver, losing 4-1 after having regained the advantage of the field in the second game.
To take this last step and be able to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy again, the leaders hope to strike a blow by associating Damian Lillard with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Negotiations are still ongoing and the Blazers are proving tougher than expected and won’t let go of their superstar point guard without a match. We must therefore find a third franchise to satisfy everyone, especially since Portland is not interested in Tyler Herro, the main bargaining chip for the Heat.
If Damian Lillard were to join Florida, Miami would then leave its status as an outsider against the Celtics or the Bucks in the East to become a declared candidate for the title.
QUESTIONS
All-In on Damian Lillard? The Heat are now heading headlong for Lillard and time is not necessarily on the side of the Portland point guard this time, who announced his wish to leave Oregon a month and a half ago. The deal is slow to be finalized, and if an agreement ends up being successful, it will be interesting to see what Miami will have “dropped” in the operation to recover a superstar, certainly, but who celebrated his 33 years last month and remains over two regular seasons at 29 and 58 games.
Tyler Herro seems doomed to leave, and it’s already a big loss, since the 23-year-old rear is one of the most promising in his position, voted best 6th man in the NBA a year ago. Will other players be included in the balance? Miami will have to make sure to resist the pressure in the face of the risk that the deal will end up falling apart.
What if Damian Lillard doesn’t come? The prospect must seem unthinkable on the side of Miami as the arrival of Damian Lillard is now expected. But if the operation turned into a fiasco and the deal was not made, the Heat would then clearly find themselves in difficulty to find a plan B at this stage of the offseason. In particular at the end where Gabe Vincent has not been replaced and even on the wing where Max Strus has no substitute as it stands.
After all, if the workforce were to stay like that, with one or two minor adjustments, Erik Spoelstra’s troops could still have their say next season, betting on continuity. And if they manage to play the spoilsports again, the non-appearance of Damian Lillard would then not be considered a failure.
