#miami-heat

#miami-heat

Through the first 30 games of the season, the Miami Heat are somehow worse than they were last year. Especially after the impressive 14-7 start to this season, this has to be the biggest sign that it may indeed be time for the front office to blow up this roster. The Heat is 15-15 through 30 games this season, and was 16-14 at this point last year. That simply doesn't add up, and it can't be a great sign for the Heat moving forward.

While the NFL has done its best to invade Christmas Day, it will always belong to the NBA. The league's annual five-game slate is usually packed with the best and most intriguing matchups. In the midst of a dreadful nine-game stretch, the Miami Heat do not play on Christmas Day this year. But let's not forget that they are the best Christmas Day squad of all time.

While it wasn't exactly formal, exactly one year ago today, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler not-so-subtly requested a trade away from the organization. The relationship between and the organization continued to deteriorate over the next several weeks, which ultimately led to him being moved in early February to Golden State. While Miami fell apart down the stretch without its former star, its start to 2025-26 was much more encouraging.

But short of that happening, and it doesn't appear as if that's going to be the case unless Giannis is willing to demand a trade, the Heat should not waste any assets on the idea of marginally improving the team at the deadline. Instead, the Heat should look to sell as many plausible assets as they can to prepare for an all-in pursuit of Giannis during the offseason.

While the trade occurred on Dec. 13, 2024, the deal did not become official until Dec. 15 because that's when Bryant became eligible to be dealt. Bryant opened up a roster spot that was evidently filled by Keshad Johnson, who was tearing up Sioux Falls on a two-way contract at the time. Since it was a non-simultaneous trade without any salary coming back, it also generated a small $2.1 million trade exception with the Heat.

In addition, as NBA insider Jake Fischer notes, it'd also have to come in a buy-low scenario. But that's not just unique to the Heat. There aren't many teams in the league at the moment that are willing to go "all-in" for AD. At this stage of his career, and with his injury history, it just doesn't make sense for any team to put their prime assets on the table for AD.

Paul went out of his way to praise the Heat's organization and what they've built over the last couple of decades. It's part of the reason why LeBron found so much success during his time in Miami. Heat Culture gets its praise Nevertheless, it's always great when the Heat is able to get their flowers. Even more so, considering that it has seemed that "Heat culture," which is being praised by Paul, has been under attack of late.

Since the start of the 2000-01 season, Miami is both No. 5 in total wins (1,124) and win percentage (.551), capturing three NBA championships and seven Eastern Conference Titles. Not to mention, several of the franchise's greats - including Dwyane Wade, the greatest player in franchise history - suited up for the Heat during the 21st century. But where do a few of the Heat's best rank among their peers through the first quarter of the 21st century?