The Miami Heat have been very mediocre this NBA season, as they are currently out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference, but a lot of their struggles have not necessarily been their fault. Only Duncan Robinson and rookie Precious Achiuwa have played in every game for Miami so far this season due to numerous injuries on their roster and COVID-19 health and safety protocols that have caused numerous players to sit out.
At full strength, the Heat are definitely one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, but the question is when will they be at full strength because they do not have time to waste anymore. It is early in the season still, but with just 72 games on the schedule this year compared to a normal 82-game season, there is not much room for error over the course of the year.
So far this year, the Heat have 7 players averaging double-figure scoring, including Jimmy Butler and Avery Bradley, who have played in just six and seven games respectively. Their most impressive player though has not been either of their two All-Stars in Butler or Adebayo, but it has been second-year guard Tyler Herro.
The 21-year old sharpshooter has evolved his game and he is now an all-around offensive threat with the ball in his hands and be careful when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands because all he needs is a little bit of separation to knock down a three. He is currently second on the team in scoring and rebounding and has been the “jolt” the Heat have needed with Butler sidelined.
At full strength, this team should not have many problems, but there is still some room to improve, especially with other teams in the Eastern Conference drastically improving this year. If the Heat are going to try and make it back to the NBA Finals this season, they are going to need to be aggressive in their pursuit for more talent, which is why they should target these three players near the NBA trade deadline.