"The "gap year" appears to be a full go for the Miami Heat this season. At least one NBA insider isn't afraid to say the quiet part out loud about the Heat heading into this year, and it's the fact that this team is simply not going to factor much in the Eastern Conference. In theory, it should push the Heat to focus more on the future than the present throughout the year, especially in the months leading up to the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline. In the words of Jake Fischer, the Heat should be big sellers this season."
"As much as they may not want to admit it, the one thing the Heat should be focused on this season is development. Sure, the Heat must continue to navigate between the dynamics of Tyler Herro (who is due a contract extension sooner rather than later) and Bam Adebayo, but their developing young core needs to be at the forefront of their focus this year. At the very least, Miami needs to exit this season with a strong grasp of where their young core lands in respect to their future."
The Miami Heat are widely expected to experience a gap year and are unlikely to be major factors in the Eastern Conference this season. League belief is that the team should operate as sellers ahead of the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, though an unexpectedly strong start could change that outlook. The primary focus should be player development, balancing Tyler Herro's impending contract situation and Bam Adebayo's role while evaluating the young core. Clear decisions are needed on Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr., and the Heat will seek further progress from Kel'el Ware.
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