Player-by-player information: What to anticipate from Miami Heat’s roster coming into the 2022-23 season

Just like that, the beginning of the 2022-23 NBA season is simply days away.

The first recreation of the NBA season is Tuesday evening and the Miami Heat opens its schedule on Wednesday in opposition to the Chicago Bulls at FTX Arena.

The Heat will start the season with 14 gamers signed to plain contracts — one beneath the NBA restrict partly to keep away from crossing the luxurious tax threshold. Among the group of 14 gamers, 13 are coming back from final season’s season-ending roster that completed only one win in need of reaching the NBA Finals.

The Heat’s two two-way contract spots are presently occupied by ahead Jamal Cain and guard Dru Smith.

Here’s a more in-depth take a look at the Heat’s 14-man roster coming into opening evening:

BAM ADEBAYO, middle: Within the group, Adebayo has earned the nickname of “No Ceiling.” For the Heat to take a step ahead regardless of returning a lot of final season’s roster, the 25-year-old Adebayo will once more need to take one other leap in his sixth NBA season. The Heat’s beginning middle is already thought of one of many NBA’s high defenders, however continued progress on the offensive finish can be anticipated because the group pushes for Adebayo to tackle a much bigger scoring function this season.

JIMMY BUTLER, wing: Already thought of the Heat’s greatest participant, he once more proved final postseason that he’s elite. Butler is among the few gamers within the league who’s particular sufficient to be the very best participant on a championship group. But the clock is ticking. Butler, who’s a necessary a part of the Heat’s beginning lineup, is now 33 years outdated and it’s truthful to query how lengthy he can produce at this excessive of a degree.

DEWAYNE DEDMON, middle: Since becoming a member of the Heat as a free agent late within the 2020-21 season, Dedmon has been used because the Heat’s backup middle. Even because the 33-year-old veteran competes with the youthful Omer Yurtseven to carry on to that function, it seems that Dedmon stays the front-runner to play as Adebayo’s backup to open the season after Yurtseven missed many of the preseason with an ankle damage.

UDONIS HASLEM, ahead: Entering his twentieth and last season, Haslem will grow to be simply the third participant in NBA historical past to spend a whole profession lasting no less than 20 seasons with one group. That listing additionally contains Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant, and Haslem would be the just one to do it in his hometown. Haslem’s taking part in profession can be celebrated this season, however he received’t play a lot at 42 years outdated as he has appeared in simply 28 video games for the reason that begin of the 2018-19 season. His worth is felt off the courtroom as a group chief.

TYLER HERRO, guard: The offseason featured loads of commerce hypothesis involving his title, however Herro enters his fourth NBA season with a way of long-term safety after signing a four-year extension with the Heat earlier this month that could possibly be price as a lot as $130 million. But with that massive contract comes even greater expectations, as Herro is predicted to be promoted to a beginning function after successful the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award final season. Herro, 22, is arguably the Heat’s most pure scorer and he’s aiming to make his first All-Star Game this season.

HAYWOOD HIGHSMITH, ahead: Despite solely showing in 24 regular-season video games throughout his NBA profession after going undrafted out of Wheeling University in 2018, there are some expectation for the 25-year-old Highsmith to contribute sooner or later this season following a powerful displaying at summer time league. He matches the mildew the Heat normally appears to be like for in energy forwards as a two-way participant who can area the ground with three-point capturing whereas additionally serving as a flexible defender. At 6-7 and 215 kilos, Highsmith will symbolize much-needed depth at energy ahead if he proves to be a dependable choice this season.

NIKOLA JOVIC, ahead: The assumption coming into coaching camp was that this is able to simply be a developmental yr for Jovic, who was chosen with the No. 27 choose on this yr’s draft out of Serbia. But the 19-year-old Jovic was a preseason revelation due to his intriguing mixture of talent and dimension at 6-11 and 225 kilos. It would nonetheless be somewhat shocking if Jovic finds himself as a constant member of the Heat’s rotation early on. But after what Jovic confirmed within the preseason, taking part in time sooner or later throughout his rookie season appears inevitable.

KYLE LOWRY, guard: Entering his second season with the Heat, Lowry is a vital a part of the Heat’s method as the place to begin guard. Lowry made the Heat higher final common season, taking a few of the ball-handling and facilitating stress off of Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. But a strained hamstring derailed Lowry’s postseason, when the Heat wanted the veteran probably the most. With Lowry turning 37 in the course of this season, his greatest days are very seemingly behind him. But Lowry remains to be one of many Heat’s most essential and greatest gamers. If he can keep wholesome, he has already confirmed that he can raise Miami to the next degree.

CALEB MARTIN, wing: Fresh off his greatest NBA season, Martin signed probably the most profitable contract of his profession this previous summer time to stick with the Heat. Now after shedding P.J. Tucker in free company, it seems that the Heat will open the season with Martin as its beginning energy ahead. While a bit undersized for the place at 6-5 and 205 kilos, the hope is Martin could make up for it along with his mixture of defensive versatility, improved outdoors capturing and elite athleticism.

VICTOR OLADIPO, guard: As a Heat wild card, Oladipo may symbolize the interior enchancment wanted for the group take one other step ahead this season. The two-time All-Star is coming off of his first full wholesome offseason since 2018 after present process two main knee surgical procedures in lower than three years. But the Heat has made clear it’s going to proceed to take a cautious and affected person method with Oladipo, who has performed in simply 60 regular-season video games over the past three seasons. Still, Oladipo is predicted to open the season as a part of the Heat’s rotation. He’s additionally one of many high candidates to take over because the chief of the bench unit, with Tyler Herro anticipated to be moved into the beginning lineup.

DUNCAN ROBINSON, ahead: After shedding his spot within the beginning lineup late within the common season after which utterly falling out of the rotation at one level in the course of the Heat’s playoff run, Robinson is prepared for the contemporary begin {that a} new season brings. While Robinson isn’t anticipated to open this season as a starter, he’s nonetheless a really reasonable choice for use in a constant function off the bench due to his elite three-point capturing. Robinson used this previous offseason to grow to be much less one-dimensional, engaged on his ball-handling and defensive agility.

MAX STRUS, ahead: Despite taking part in as a starter all through the Heat’s playoff run that ended within the Eastern Conference finals final season, Strus is predicted to return to a bench function this season. Known for his capacity to make threes, he additionally proved to be a strong defender and expert sufficient to assault defenses off the dribble final season. Strus, 26, will nonetheless play essential minutes for the Heat even when he returns to a reserve function, as anticipated.

GABE VINCENT, guard: Last season was the very best season of Vincent’s younger NBA profession. A product of the Heat’s developmental program, he has improved as some extent guard who might be relied on to run the offense however may also play off the ball when wanted. He can area the ground along with his strong three-point stroke and has developed right into a pesky perimeter defender. With Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Vincent Oladipo anticipated to be within the rotation, Vincent is the fourth guard within the combine for constant minutes. Vincent will play off the bench until there’s an damage to one of many Heat’s beginning guards.

OMER YURTSEVEN, middle: Even in his restricted taking part in time final season, Yurtseven flashed elite rebounding abilities and the potential to be an above common scorer on the place. As a 24-year-old with little NBA expertise, Yurtseven is considered as one of many Heat’s most intriguing developmental prospects. But with Adebayo locked into the beginning middle function, Yurtseven’s greatest path to constant taking part in time is to beat out Dedmon for the backup middle job. While the Heat experimented with a frontcourt pairing of Adebayo and Yurtseven within the preseason, the duo has not but produced constructive outcomes collectively.