Miami Heat's Top 3 Priorities During 2026 NBA Offseason
Well, that was rough.
And predictably so.
The Miami Heat came into the 2025-26 NBA campaign as a flawed team with a glaring superstar void, and they've now exited it as such. They were, as per usual, too good to bottom out but nowhere near good enough to contend for the crown.
Assuming their aim is to continue pushing forward—this would be an absolutely absurd time to abandon the anti-tanking strategy—they need to pave paths toward ceiling-raisers. Forever chasing maximum competitiveness might seem admirable to those who believe you never win by losing, but it starts to feel like putting in mile after mile on the treadmill of mediocrity when contention is never a realistic aim.
The Heat need an identity change this summer. They'll have to pursue high-end talent to make that happen, but that's hardly the only pressing item on their to-do list.
3. Maximize the First-Round Pick
1 of 3
While the Heat probably won't land a premium first-round pick, they've shown they know a thing or two about to handle a mid-round selection. Franchise centerpiece Bam Adebayo was the 14th pick in 2017. All-Star guard Tyler Herro was the 13th pick two years later.
Give this scouting department a decent draft pick, and it's probably going to uncover someone interesting.
It kind of has to, though, because Herro stands as the last great success story for this draft-and-development program. Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson and Kasparas Jakučionis have all shown flashes, but there's no one in this group that can be Sharpie'd into the long-term plans.
The Heat surely have needs they'd like to address in this first round. Shot-creation and interior depth come immediately to mind.
But strengthening their talent base is most important. Ideally, the best player available and the best fit are the same person.
If not, Miami must be careful about reaching—just to fill a positional weakness.
2. Choose a Scoring Guard
2 of 3
Norman Powell paced this team in scoring this season and served as its only All-Star representative. Herro averaged the second-most points and may have warranted All-Star consideration had he not lost so much time to injuries.
With the Heat perpetually searching for offense, you might think they'd gladly welcome both back with open arms. You'd also almost certainly be wrong.
They have significant overlap in both strengths and weaknesses, so playing them together isn't a viable long-term strategy. To that end, Miami lost the minutes they shared by 6.7 points per 100 possessions, per CleaningTheGlass.
Playing both is tricky, and paying both could be even harder, since Powell is approaching unrestricted free agency, and Herro is once again eligible for an extension. The Heat almost certainly need to choose between them—and there may even be a scenario in which they move forward without either one.
1. Get the Whale
3 of 3
With Pat Riley behind the wheel, the Heat are always surveying the waters for possible whale hunts. It's just been a while since they've felt this close to a catch.
And not just any catch, the catch they've been dreaming of for years. The Milwaukee Bucks might not be guaranteed to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, but their relationship has never felt rockier.
Could there be spacing concerns with an Antetokounmpo-Adebayo frontcourt? Sure, although you kind of wonder whether this possible pursuit is what spurred Adebayo toward expanding his range. And, honestly, they both do so much more than just shoot at a high level that the Heat would gladly take the talent and address any logistical issues as they arise.
But this isn't all about Antetokounmpo. He is atop the wish list, obviously, but Miami should have alternatives in mind if that just isn't happening. Because failing to address this star void would leave the Heat at major risk of meeting the same fate next season.
They should have eyes and ears open to anything, whether that's making a play for Donovan Mitchell should the Cleveland Cavaliers get bounced early, or even giving serious thought to a discounted deal for a distressed star like Ja Morant or Zion Williamson.
