The Miami Heat are entering the 2025-26 NBA season in a state of transition, reminiscent of the period before Jimmy Butler arrived and transformed the franchise in 2019. With Butler now gone—having forced a blockbuster trade to the Golden State Warriors—the Heat are left to recalibrate around a core that is talented but faces undeniable limitations. The most pressing challenge? Navigating the early months without their best scorer and lead guard, Tyler Herro, who is sidelined for at least two months after undergoing ankle surgery.
Herro’s absence is a seismic blow for Miami. The 25-year-old guard is coming off a career-best campaign, averaging 23.9 points on .472/.375/.878 shooting splits, along with 5.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.9 steals across 77 games. His stellar play last season earned him his first All-Star selection, and he became the offensive fulcrum for a Heat squad that finished 37-45 in the wake of Butler’s departure. Yet, while Herro’s offensive prowess is unquestioned, his defensive struggles—especially in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he was targeted repeatedly—underscore the Heat’s need for a more balanced attack on both ends of the floor.
Replacing Herro’s production won’t be easy. He not only provided shot creation but also averaged a robust 24/5/5 line last season, numbers that are hard to replicate. The Heat’s offense was already in the bottom third of the league, ranking 21st in offensive rating despite Herro’s efforts. Without him, the pressure mounts on head coach Erik Spoelstra to find the right mix in his starting lineup.
At present, only three players are considered locks for the starting five. Bam Adebayo, a three-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s premier defensive anchors, will be the first name on Spoelstra’s lineup card each night. Adebayo, still in his prime at 28, has expanded his offensive game in recent years, but he regressed last season without Butler’s presence. The Heat will need him to rediscover his best form to remain competitive in the Eastern Conference.
Andrew Wiggins, acquired from the Warriors as part of the Butler deal, is another guaranteed starter. In his brief stint with Miami last season, Wiggins averaged 19 points over 17 games, providing much-needed shot creation and perimeter defense. His prototypical 3-and-D skill set is vital, especially with Herro out of action.
Norman Powell rounds out the trio of sure starters. Powell had a resurgent year, averaging 22 points per game on efficient 48/42/80 shooting splits and even entering All-Star discussions. Although he tailed off at the end of his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, Powell’s ability to fill a larger offensive role—especially in a contract year—makes him indispensable to Miami’s hopes.
That leaves two starting spots up for grabs: one in the frontcourt and one in the backcourt. The favorites to claim these roles are Kel’el Ware and Davion Mitchell, but both must prove themselves in a competitive training camp environment. Ware, who started 36 of the last 38 games last season and emerged as a nightly double-double threat, earned the trust of Spoelstra with his interior presence. His ability to free up Adebayo as a perimeter roamer on defense was a key development. However, with Herro sidelined and the Heat desperate for perimeter shot creation, Ware’s role could be diminished in favor of more versatile options like Nikola Jovic or Jaime Jaquez Jr.—both of whom offer more playmaking from the four spot.
Davion Mitchell is the leading candidate to fill Herro’s shoes in the backcourt. Acquired in the Butler trade, Mitchell’s gritty style fits Miami’s culture perfectly. He averaged 10.3 points on 50/45/70 shooting in 30 games (15 starts) for the Heat last year and was thrust into the playoff starting lineup against Cleveland. Despite the team’s first-round sweep, Mitchell shined individually, averaging 15 points on a blistering 61 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. With Terry Rozier mired in a federal investigation into unusual betting patterns and coming off a lackluster season, and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis deemed not ready for prime time, Mitchell’s spot appears more secure than Ware’s—though nothing is set in stone.
"This one felt a bit easier to predict a few weeks ago, before we learned of an offseason ankle surgery that will sideline Herro into the season," wrote Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Herro’s contract future. Herro is now entering the third year of a four-season, $120 million extension, earning $31 million this year and $33 million in 2026-27. He’s eligible for another extension, and Bailey predicts a three-year, $130 million deal could be on the table, keeping Herro in South Beach through the 2029-30 season. That would pay him an average of $43.3 million annually—less than the maximum, but still a significant commitment for a player whose defensive deficiencies have been exposed in postseason play.
"But even with that wrinkle, for a team as offensively challenged as Miami, keeping a 25-year-old who’s averaged 20-plus points and four-plus assists in each of the last four seasons should be a priority," Bailey added. The Heat’s front office faces a tough decision: lock in Herro for the long haul, or retain flexibility for a potential blockbuster trade down the line. The timing is tricky, as extending Herro now would take him off the trade market until at least next season.
Meanwhile, the Heat’s rotation remains in flux. Training camp battles are expected to be fierce, with Ware needing to prove he can offer more than just finishing around the rim and rebounding. If Jovic or Jaquez Jr. can show playmaking chops and defensive versatility, the Heat could opt for a smaller, more dynamic lineup—at least until Herro returns and the offense stabilizes. As for Rozier, while he’s only 31 and playing for his next contract, his off-court issues and recent form make him a long shot to reclaim a starting role. The Heat could, however, showcase him in hopes of boosting his trade value.
All told, Miami’s path back to true contention appears murky. Barring the acquisition of a superstar in the coming offseasons, the Heat are likely to remain a playoff-caliber team in the weakened Eastern Conference, but a deep run seems out of reach. The development of their young players and the eventual return—and possible extension—of Herro will shape the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.
With training camp underway and starting spots up for grabs, Miami fans can expect plenty of intrigue as the Heat search for the right formula to stay competitive. Whether the current core can rise to the challenge, or whether a major shake-up is looming, remains the burning question in South Beach.
