Highlights:

Despite the underwhelming 21-22 campaign there was SOME light at the end of the tunnel... In the form of managing to snag the 9th overall pick to secure Jalen Duren. A super young, promising big man who personifies the modern day game. He fits well alongside the likes of Simmons, Brogdon, Isaac, Bamba, Fultz and Vanderbilt; Offering size and versatility on both ends. They also made a number of small favourable deals allowing them to get their hands on future draft capital and pieces that make a whole lot more sense going forward.

Trading for Fultz and Brogdon brings in an injection of youth and solidifies their star studded young backcourt rotation. They can, for now rest on that as a building block toward restoring the Miami Heat to contender status.

Lowlights:

A season to forget. Which will be hard as it was almost completely overshadowed by all the Simmons related drama, as if just to add salt to the wound. Pistol isn't used to losing and has always set a very high bar when it comes to winning at the highest level. I can only imagine that at times, it'd be a struggle to continue to pour so many hours into this great league, while still playing the waiting game.



Best Trade:

CJ/Portis/MIA 2nd x2 for Fultz/Fournier/POR 22/DET 23/PHO 25/CLE 26/MIN 26

It's not very often that an established star gets moved, where best case, both parties involved come out winners. In this deal, I think Miami getting back Fultz and FIVE firsts for the likes of CJ and Portis is bigtime. The Detroit first given recent moves, will be falling closer to the Heats favour heading into the 2023 draft. Its way to early to comment on the others but first round picks are the currency of the league and allows the Heat to pull the trigger on a big block buster deal, if the opportunity presents it's self. 



Worst Trade:

WCJ/Gallo for Brogdon/Vanderbilt

Kinda grasping at straws here... I love Brogdon and what he brings in game with his size and two way prowess... BUT, what ever way you chop it there are legitimate health questions that hang over his head. He is also 29 heading into his 6th season, so knock on wood he manages to play at a high level for years to come but you could argue WCJ made more sense timeline wise. Even in saying that I feel silly even attempting to tarnish this deal... Given of course that Vanderbilt is no joke.

Other Trades:
 

MCW/MIA 22 2nd for JT Thor

A 2nd for a kid with promise like JT Thor. You'd do it any day of the week. Kid will get some run in the NBA especially with Plumlee most likely to be moved ASAP as Miles awaits another court date.

Bjelica for NY 23 2nd/CHA 25 2nd

Savy small deal getting your hands ANY draft capital for the likes of Bjelica at this stage of his career. Love it.

Gay/MIN 26 for Sviatoslav/Campazzo/25 BOS/MIA 25 2nd

See above deal.

Star:

I mean obviously Simmons is the face of the franchise and if he HAD played last season would've been there best player by a country mile in all facets of the game. BUT I'd like to shout out Bamba who aside from Big Ben was their most impactful player. He averaged 10.4/10.3 and 3 blocks per game, shooting 56% from the field in 30 MPG. Showing flashes of his potential, a high ceiling that even if is never fully reached; Will still be easily offset in game given his size and athleticism alone. 



Draft Grades:

B+

When you're drafting mid-late lottery majority of the time you just want to land a very solid role guy who fits your teams identity. They did exactly this with Duren in a draft class that wasn't exactly jam packed with athletic bigs.

The Future:

Simmons/Fultz/Isaac/Bamba/Vanderbilt boast an Avg. Age of 24.4yrs so you would assume the next 6-8 years is realistically going to be their time. They have 6 firsts over the next 3 drafts so they are primed to load up with young talent and patiently bide their time until the time is right. Simply put, the Heat are part of a very select group of young up and coming teams in this league that everyone is keeping a watchful eye on...