The Miami Heat’s preseason didn’t just offer a glimpse of a new era after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. It also hinted at something that could end up being just as important: a bench that might rank among the NBA’s best.
Miami went 3-2 in the preseason and looked solid on both sides of the ball. The starters appeared in only three games, while the second and third units finished off the final two. That left plenty to evaluate, and one takeaway stands out clearly: this reserve group has real upside.
The Heat already finished fourth in the league in bench scoring last season at 43.8 points per game, and there’s a case to be made that this group can top that number. Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. are the biggest additions, and both should give Miami a different kind of punch when the starters sit.
Portis came over in the Giannis trade, and he looks like a clean fit for this roster. He brings championship experience, scoring, and a physical edge in the frontcourt.
He can work inside on the block, stretch the floor, and give Miami another tough body around the basket. His familiarity with Giannis could matter early while the team is still sorting through its new look.
Hardaway also brings a useful skill set. He had a career shooting year last season with the Nuggets and gives the Heat more spacing right away.
He’s not limited to spot-up looks, either. He can pull up, create a shot, and provide scoring when Giannis rests.
It wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up starting or closing games.
Then there’s Nikola Jovic, who had a disappointing season last year but has looked much better this preseason. Miami needs him to stay healthy and find some consistency.
The tools are obvious: he can handle the ball, push the pace, and hit open shots. What’s changed so far is the feel.
He looks more confident, less hesitant, and more comfortable in the role Miami wants from him.
Pelle Larsson also looks ready for another step in his third season. The Heat expect him to have a major bench role, and he could even be their sixth man.
He’s already shown he can be a glue player, defending hard and bringing energy every night. He’s also making progress as a ball handler and playmaker, which is part of why Spoelstra trusts him.
One of the more intriguing names is Conwell. His preseason has been strong, and his 22 points, nine assists and zero turnovers against Minnesota stood out.
Shooting was never the question coming out of college. What has been more surprising is how comfortable he looks creating for teammates and handling the ball.
Miami has needed more guard playmaking, and Conwell may be able to help sooner than expected.
What makes this bench especially interesting is the variety Spoelstra can mix and match. The top three reserve options should be Larsson, Portis and Hardaway, and each brings a different edge.
Portis offers rebounding and scoring inside or from deep. Hardaway supplies instant offense and spacing.
Larsson brings intensity, toughness and two-way activity, and he has been getting to the free-throw line at will.
That combination gives Miami something valuable: different ways to win minutes when the stars are off the floor.
In Other News...
Heat Roster Cuts Just Clarified Who Fans Should Keep Watching
The Heat have trimmed their preseason roster down to the point where the next phase of the season is already coming into focus. Miami waived four developmental players, Ezra Ausar, Kylor Kelley, Gabe Madsen and Bez Mbeng, after the preseason wrapped up, clearing the way for the team to get closer to the leagues 15-player standard contract limit.
For now, the move mostly shifts attention to Sioux Falls, where all four players are expected to land with the Skyforce and continue their development in the Heat system. It is the kind of roster housekeeping that rarely makes noise on its own, but for Miami it also serves as a reminder of which young players remain on the radar as the organization starts sorting out its regular-season depth. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Could Still Find One Veteran Who Changes Their Rotation
With the roster cutdown deadline closing in, the Heat have already trimmed a few young prospects and are still looking at ways to tighten up the back end of the roster. That has naturally turned attention to a familiar pool of recently waived NBA veterans, the kind of players who can step into a rotation without needing much ramp-up time if the fit makes sense.
Among the names floating around are Pat Connaughton, Jeremy Sochan and Bruce Brown, all of whom bring some combination of experience, versatility and lineup flexibility. Miami has not made any official additions yet, but the fact that these veterans are even in the conversation suggests the front office is still weighing whether one more proven piece could help settle the rotation before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Conwell Is Forcing A Tough Heat Rotation Decision
Ryan Conwell has done enough in preseason to make the Heat think a little harder about how they want to handle the back end of the roster. The second-round pick, originally selected by the Thunder and then sent to Miami right away, has shown the kind of promise that can make a draft-night gamble look smarter in a hurry, even with the Heat loading up on veterans and reshaping the group around the edges.
The tricky part now is figuring out where he fits in the short term. Miami has enough established pieces that Conwell may not have a clean path to consistent NBA minutes right away, and the most realistic route could start with a run in the G-League before he works his way into a regular role. For a team that likes competition and development, it is the kind of decision that can shape how quickly a young player becomes part of the rotation picture. [Read more 🡒]