The Miami Heat are taking heat for a problem that may be overstated.
After acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the criticism has centered on whether Miami has enough shooting around him to give him the kind of room he prefers. That concern is understandable, and there’s still time for the Heat to reshape the rotation. But the idea that Miami is already boxed in by a lack of spacing goes too far.
Yes, the roster changed. The Heat dealt three of their better shooters for Antetokounmpo in Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Kel'el Ware, and they also watched Norman Powell leave in free agency. That’s a real hit to the perimeter group.
Still, the conversation has drifted into suggesting Miami has no answers on the roster right now. That part doesn’t hold up.
The Heat have four players who shot 39.5 percent or better from three in 2025-26, and they also have several others with a track record of efficiency, even if their production has fluctuated at times.
Andrew Wiggins led one part of that group, averaging 2.0 made threes on 41.4 percent shooting from deep in 2025-26. Simone Fontecchio hit 1.8 per game at 37.5 percent, while Davion Mitchell knocked down 1.3 and shot 39.5 percent.
Miami also added Tim Hardaway Jr., who averaged 2.8 made threes while shooting 40.7 percent from long range in 2025-26. And second-round pick Ryan Conwell brings a strong college résumé, having shot 37.6 percent from beyond the arc across four seasons.
Then there’s Bam Adebayo, who could end up shaping the whole picture. He shot 35.7 percent on 2.8 three-point attempts in 2025-26, but that number dipped to 31.7 when his volume nearly doubled to 5.5 per game. If he finds a better balance, Miami’s spacing outlook changes fast.
That’s why the Heat still have a workable path here. They may not be elite from deep, but they have enough shooters to make defenders pay and open the floor for Antetokounmpo.
They still need more help. Miami should use the exceptions it has in free agency and look for upgrades on the trade market, and the team would benefit from developing more shooting in-house. Players like Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson could ease a lot of concern if they become even reasonably efficient at higher volume.
So while the Heat are not built to be the NBA’s best three-point shooting team, the notion that spacing is already a fatal flaw is overblown.
In Other News...
Heat Are Learning Tyler Herro Left A Bigger Void Than Expected
Tyler Herros departure has left Miami with a sharper appreciation for everything he was giving them on offense. Before the trade that sent him out to bring in Giannis Antetokounmpo, Herro had become more than a scorer, giving the Heat a mix of shot-making, playmaking and efficient production that helped steady the attack in different ways.
Now the challenge is finding a replacement that looks anything like that package, and that is not a simple ask. Miami has been linked to veteran options such as DeMar DeRozan and Klay Thompson as it searches for help, but both come with different skill sets and timelines than the player the Heat just moved. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Linked To Proven Scorer As Shooting Need Comes Into Focus
Miamis need for shooting has been obvious for a while, and Bradley Beal has quickly emerged as a name worth watching as the offseason opens up. The veteran guard just finished a season derailed by a hip injury that required surgery, limiting him to only six games, but his track record as a proven scorer still makes him an intriguing fit for a team looking to add offense without overhauling its core.
Beal is now on the market after opting out of his deal with the Clippers, and the free-agent path gives teams a chance to explore what a fresh start might look like. For the Heat, the appeal is easy to understand: they need more shot-making, and Beals resume checks that box. What matters next is whether the interest turns into something more concrete as Miami keeps weighing its options. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Riley's Next Move Could Change Everything For The Heat
Pat Rileys offseason has already changed the feel of the Heats future, even before Miami gets to the next big decision. The team is still being linked to another star addition, with names like DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal all surfacing as possible fits for a roster that has been looking for the right extra piece to push it back into the Easts top tier.
What makes this next move matter so much is the ripple effect around the league, where the biggest names keep reshaping the balance of power. Philadelphia already has a heavyweight starting group, and Miami knows it cannot afford to stand still if it wants to keep pace with the conferences elite, which is why Rileys next swing will be watched closely until the Heat make their intentions clear. [Read more 🡒]