After a disappointing end to the 2021 NBA season, the Miami Heat finally realized that they needed to invest in the team for it to be successful. I’ve been critical of the way Miami handled the 2020 off-season before, but their decisions looked even worse when their fantasy of signing a superstar crashed, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bradley Beal, Paul George and others signing extensions with their respective teams.
Wasting a year
For those who may not know, the Miami Heat opted to spend little to no money in free agency in 2020, opting to “run it back” after a finals loss to LeBron James’ Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s my opinion on that. You don’t “run it back” unless you win. It was clear to anyone that watched their games that the Heat were still a player or two away from winning the NBA Finals. Instead of adding to the team that had just made the finals, Pat Riley and the Heat opted to waste a year of 31-year-old Jimmy Butler’s prime, hoping that 2021’s off-season would bring them a superstar.
As one would expect, the Heat were swept by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. With their Eastern Conference competition getting stronger year-by-year, it was imperative that they needed to build the team. Instead, the Heat opted to do the exact opposite.
The Heat brought in just four players during that off-season. They brought in two veterans in guard Avery Bradley and forward Moe Harkless, as well as forward Max Strus and No. 20 overall pick, Precious Achiuwa. After losing in the NBA Finals, bringing in zero impact players that could help the team get back to the promised land was a complete and utter disappointment.
Miami allowed one of their best role players in forward Jae Crowder to walk in free agency, signing a three-year $30 million deal with the Phoenix Suns. Instead of signing back Crowder, the Heat opted to re-sign reserve center Meyers Leonard to a two-year, $20 million deal.
Crowder’s presence was missed all year. With the way the Heat play, the four is one of the most important positions on the court. The four needs to be able to guard any position, as well as spacing the floor with their shooting ability. Crowder was the primary defender on Giannis and LeBron during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. The Heat tried to replace him with Trevor Ariza, though it was a failed experiment. Crowder should’ve been brought back, especially for a deal that didn’t cost much.
Learning From Their Mistakes: A Great Offseason
On the first day of free agency, Miami signed the best possible player in free agency, point guard Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors. The sign-and-trade deal included Miami shipping out Goran Dragic and Achiuwa. Lowry gives the Heat a true playmaker and scorer, something that they lacked in previous years.
They also brought in one of the best role players in the league in P.J. Tucker. Tucker’s defending was key to the Bucks’ title run. The Heat also signed forward Markieff Morris. Morris’ three-point ability gives the team a great depth piece. Additionally, they extended their guys. Restricted free agent and three-point specialist Duncan Robinson was brought back on a five-year, $90 million contract. Miami also signed their star, Jimmy Butler, to a four-year, $184 million extension.
The team that Miami put together has the potential to win the East. The veterans mixed with the youth of Tyler Herro make for an interesting, dangerous team. Despite their failed pipe dream, Miami still made the best of their mistake and put together a team that is capable of winning the NBA title. I believe this Heat team will do damage and, at least, make the Eastern Conference Finals.
