Miami’s roster may not have been rewarded with much love in ESPN’s rankings, but there are still a few Heat players with a real chance to force the issue this season.
Bam Adebayo came in at No. 29, and no other Heat player made the list after him. That left the usual debate about whether Miami’s depth got overlooked, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo now in the fold and the national conversation already circling around how much help he and Adebayo have around them. The skepticism about the rest of the roster was enough to raise eyebrows, though maybe not enough to shock anyone.
Still, there are a few names who could spend this season making the rankings look a little foolish.
Andrew Wiggins is the clearest one. For a player who entered the league with all the weight that comes with being the No. 1 pick, his career has settled into an unusual middle ground - not a bust, not the superstar some expected, but a highly useful wing who can swing games on a championship-caliber team.
He fits that mold again in Miami. His three-point efficiency was better than ever last season, and with the games carrying more meaning now, he could start drawing more attention again.
Top 100? Maybe, maybe not.
But the Heat would take him over plenty of players who did crack the list.
Then there’s Nikola Jovic, who still feels more like a projection than a sure thing for a ranking like this, but the trajectory is there. After two seasons, the former second-round pick has shown enough growth to make people pay attention, and his strong summer with Sweden only added to the sense that something bigger is coming.
Miami already rewarded him with an early extension, and even if he doesn’t open as the starting two-guard because the Heat need more dependable shooting there, he’s on track to log major minutes. Closing stretches should be part of his job description.
He brings a little bit of everything, and he does it with energy and unselfishness. It wouldn’t be surprising if he ends up on this kind of list next year, especially if Miami is playing deep into the postseason.
The other name is Davion Mitchell, who needed time in Sacramento and Toronto before finding the right fit. In Miami, he’s finally looking like the player people hoped he could become when he came out of Baylor.
His defensive work has earned him the nickname Off Night, and his shot took a major jump after he got to the Heat. He’s also become a better driver.
The next step is to keep expanding his game, take more shots even when they aren’t wide open, and keep developing as a passer. That work ethic is not in question - his “Pain Camp” became a summer staple for Heat fans on social media.
A top-100 case? Not quite yet.
But with a contract season ahead, a career year isn’t out of the question.
In Other News...
Knicks Drama Could Open A Huge Door For The Heat
Contract extension talks between the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns appear to be heading into uncertain territory, and that is exactly the kind of front-office turbulence the Heat have reason to watch closely. New York is trying to keep a core group intact, but with several key players also due for new deals, the financial picture is getting complicated fast.
For Miami, any sign of strain in the Easts upper tier is worth monitoring. The Heat, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, have their own ambitions in a conference that often turns on roster continuity as much as talent, and a Knicks cap crunch could create some opening for them if New York is forced into tough decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Add A Coach With Rare Giannis Influence At Crucial Time
Vin Bakers arrival on the Miami Heat staff gives the franchise another familiar voice in player development, and it comes with a connection that stands out even in a league full of overlapping relationships. Baker has spent years around Giannis Antetokounmpo, building a close mentoring bond that extended well beyond the practice floor, and his experience around Milwaukees various coaching staffs has made him a steady presence in one of the NBAs most unique star-player relationships.
For Miami, the timing matters as much as the background. Baker is expected to focus on development work, including the kinds of details that can help Antetokounmpo handle double-teams and sharpen his post play, while also fitting alongside the Heats existing coaches rather than replacing anyone. It is a notable addition for a team that always values edge and resourcefulness, especially when one of its newest coaches brings such rare insight into a rival centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Could Finally Have Room For One More Key Move
The Hornets are moving ahead after sending LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, and the early plan in Charlotte sounds less like replacing one star than spreading his responsibilities around the roster. Coby White is set to take over at point guard, while wings Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel are expected to keep growing into larger roles. With Naz Reid aboard, the Hornets also should have more lineup flexibility and more shooting, and the addition of Ryan Nembhard gives them another developmental name to sort through, even if he may not stick.
For the Heat, the bigger takeaway is what all of that kind of roster math can mean down the road. Miami may finally have a path in 2027/28 to keep Davion Mitchell and still create room for one more meaningful addition, which would be a welcome development for a team that has had to be careful with every financial move. Elsewhere in the organization orbit, Ronnie Burrell has landed as head coach of the Osceola Magic and sounded eager to get back to the G League, another reminder of how much the Heat ecosystem continues to shift around the edges while the front office keeps an eye on the bigger opening ahead. [Read more 🡒]