MIAMI — Until the weekend, the composition of the Miami Heat’s 2025-26 roster remained an abstract. While there were 14 players under standard contract, there also was the pesky reality of a non-contender stuck in the luxury tax.
Then came the Friday trade of Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets that got the Heat under the tax. Then came the Saturday re-signing of Dru Smith that got the Heat back to the total of 14 players under standard contract that they will likely carry into the start of the season.
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So finally, after the moves that brought in Norman Powell, Simone Fontecchio and first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, and the corresponding moves that sent out Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and Highsmith, stock can be taken.
Where do the Heat stand six weeks before the start of camp?
With questions in the middle.
A still-available two-way roster spot.
And far more wings than seemingly can possibly fit into Erik Spoelstra’s rotation.
Center: When it comes to the position in its truest form, the Heat’s standard roster features one true center who wants to be a center.
That puts plenty of onus on Kel’el Ware.
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It also leaves the Heat exposed in the middle with little more in reserve than undrafted Michigan 7-footer Vlad Goldin, the former FAU center who has been signed to a two-way contract.
It’s not quite “Where have you gone Cody Zeller or Dewayne Dedmon?” but it’s kind of close.
Power forward: Based on his preference and performance, this is where Bam Adebayo wants to be, freed from having to defend the paint against big-muscle opposing centers.
Considering the remainder of the roster, about the only other player who conceivably could stand as a starting power forward would be Nikola Jovic.
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Only, as much as Adebayo would prefer not to be cast at center, Jovic similarly has attempted to distance himself from a power role.
With the trade of Highsmith, the remaining options at power forward would be undersized to the degree of hardly setting up as starting quality, options such as Keshad Johnson, Fontecchio or perhaps even Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Small forward: As long as Andrew Wiggins remains on the roster, this seemingly would be his position to lose when it comes to the starting lineup. His resume is one of a deserving option to start at the position. He is the Heat’s best true wing defender.
There is depth here, ranging from Jaquez to Pelle Larsson to Powell playing up in position, with Myron Gardner under contract on a two-way deal.
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Shooting guard: This is where it gets complex and highlights the reality of the Heat being loaded on the wing while coming up short in the power rotation.
Based on the composition of the current roster, Powell would set up as the logical choice starting choice here, but that also would complicate matters with Tyler Herro, an incumbent at the position who is coming off an All-Star season.
Accepting Herro as the starting point guard as the logical rotation adjustment, it leaves the likes of Jaquez, Larsson and Jakucionis as potential depth at shooting guard.
Point guard: If the starting backcourt winds up as Powell and Herro, it would cast Davion Mitchell as a sixth man.
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As a sixth man, Mitchell presents the possibility of providing juice off the bench on both ends, particularly if he can replicate last season’s torrid 3-point shooting.
Also available at the point would be Smith and Jakucionis, if he doesn’t otherwise wind up in the G League for seasoning.
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And then there is the question of Terry Rozier, whose resume suggests he belongs in a lead reserve role at one of the backcourt positions, but whose 2024-25 season creates question of whether that even would be considered.
Overview: The swapping out of Highsmith for Smith creates question with the frontcourt rotation while adding depth where not necessarily needed in the backcourt.
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With the ability to add one more player under standard contract at midseason and still remain under the luxury tax, there could be a waiting game until balance is reclaimed.
The other option would be to find a serviceable athletic big man to sign to the third and final two-way contract to offer a counter to the bulk Goldin can provide against bigger opposing teams.
Most likely it will be continued side-eye from Spoelstra when positions are discussed, likely leading to more “position-less” talk and therefore more smallball combinations.
Or perhaps, as the current roster composition suggests, the Heat aren’t finished ahead of camp, after all, even with Highsmith out and Smith in.