In order to completely understand the moves a team makes the timeline of events must be listed as well.

Pre Draft

• Heat make a major move trading Jimmy Butler in a 5 team trade. This includes sending out Terry Rozier, Thomas Bryant and Duncan Robinson but brings in Dejounte Murray, Andrew Wiggins, Jordon Clarkson, a 2029 lesser FRP of the Jazz and Hawks, 2 FRP swaps with the Hawks in 2026 and 2028, 3 SRPS, and a lot of cap flexibility.

  • Explanation: Jimmy is 35 years old and the Heat are deep into the luxury as an 8 seed. The decision to reset where they are doesn't come lightly but the addition of good players and draft capital on top of reduced cap makes perfect sense for this team.

  Draft

• Pick 15 the Heat select Isaiah Collier

• Pick 43 the Heat select Melvin Ajinça

  • Explanation: One of the most talented players in Collier falls to the Heat allowing them to take a new guard that the Heat can mold. Ajinca has shown potential to be a shooter and with a 6'7 frame could be a future Duncan Robinson.

Free Agency

• Resign Haywood Highsmith to a 3 year 15 million dollar deal. Giving Highsmith a player option in the final year gives them the edge when looking to retain Highsmith.

• Resign Delon Wright to a 2 year 10 million dollar deal which includes a player option in the final year.

• Sign Brandon Boston Jr to a 1 year minimum contract that is partially guaranteed until January 9th.

• Sign Talen Horton-Tucker to a 2 year deal 5 million dollar deal with the final year being a player option.

The team end free agency under the luxury by about 8 million dollars with a full MLE available to them. While they could have used this to sign more experienced depth but decide to focus on team development.

Start of Season

Starting lineup:

• Murray

• Herro

• Wiggins

• Jovic

• Adebayo

The bench has a lot of depth starting with a back court of Wright and Clarkson. They have the same combo of defense and offense as the starters with even more experience. The wings are some of the better ones with THT, Jaime Jacquez, Highsmith and Josh Richardson all playing important roles. Kevin Love and Orlando Robinson remain consistent as the backup bigs.

During the season

• The Heat become a surprise to start the year jumping out to a 10-3 record with a new found energy in their game. However due to injuries they fall back to pack and fight for the play in the remainder of the year. Murray and Herro both take big jumps in their development playing some of their best ball of their careers.