Andrew Wiggins may not be the loudest name in Miami’s lineup, but he’s the player who could quietly swing the Heat’s season.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo sitting atop the roster hierarchy, the conversation turns quickly to who comes next. On talent and two-way impact, Wiggins stands out as the clear third-best player on the team. He brings a little bit of everything: enough shot-making to punish defenders who drift off him, enough off-the-dribble ability to attack a mismatch, and the kind of defensive value that changes how opponents have to operate.
That defense is the real separator. Pairing Wiggins with Adebayo and Antetokounmpo gives Miami a trio that should make life miserable for opposing scorers. Wiggins does not need the ball to matter, and that makes him especially valuable next to stars who already command so much attention.
The case for his importance, though, isn’t just about what he can do with the ball in his hands. There’s also a strong argument that Davion Mitchell is the third most important player on the roster if Miami is going to reach another level.
As one assessment put it: “While I believe the third best player on the team is Andrew Wiggins, the third most important player in my eyes is Davion Mitchell. I believe if this team is to unlock another level, a big reason would’ve been his play.
Offensively, he’s coming off of averaging a career high 6 assists a game. Now with Giannis and Bam manning the frontcourt, Davion will be the primary ballhandler at the point guard position and if he takes another step with his playmaking, this offense could be running smoother than most anticipated.
On the defensive side of the ball, he will be the point of attack defender almost every possession that he’s on the floor. In previous seasons, Miami had poor point of attack defense and it caused Bam to have to frequently cover for others.
With Davion at the POA and Giannis being the main rim protector, his defensive prowess can take this Heat team defensively from good to great.”
There’s also a broader belief that Wiggins is the safest bet to emerge as Miami’s third star next to Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. One evaluation described him this way: “The best bet to emerge as the third member of Miami's "Big Three" next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo is clearly Andrew Wiggins.
He's a champion, having performed in the Finals at a difference-making level. Because LeBron James passed on returning to Miami, Wiggins won't be a redundant part on the wing, reduced solely to cutting effectively and defending an opponent's top scorer.
He's got an opportunity to have another breakout season with an All-Star berth as a ceiling if his efficiency is sound.”
The offensive fit is part of what makes that projection appealing. Wiggins is expected to be the default third option, and on some nights he could even function as the second. He was strong in clutch moments last season, and there should be stretches in every game where he gets fed off Giannis’ gravity and scores on cuts and mid-range looks.
There are still other names in the mix. Pelle Larsson could end up being third in importance because he will close games as often as Wiggins and brings more on-ball ability.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is another wild card. He is expected to come off the bench behind Klay Thompson, but he should log more minutes and could be asked to fire away even more after finishing third in the NBA in open spot-up three point percentage last season.
If that happens, there will be some 20-point-plus nights for sure.
In Other News...
Heat Starters Might Not Get The Tuneup Fans Expected Against Minnesota
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Miami also has some roster business to sort through, which could shape how Spoelstra uses the final exhibition games. The team may lean toward giving non-rotation players more run before the roster decisions are locked in, a reminder that this part of camp is about more than simply getting the first unit ready for Minnesota. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Roster Chatter Suddenly Puts Miamis Bench Spots In Focus
Tim Hardaway Jr. is back in a Miami uniform, and his addition has helped turn the Heats end of roster into a more intriguing conversation than it might have seemed a week ago. The veteran guard gives Erik Spoelstra another familiar perimeter option after signing a one-year deal, while the front office has also been active in managing the back of the roster with players who could matter in different ways as camp and the season move forward.
Dennis Smith Jr. is part of that shuffle as well, and the Heats willingness to cycle him through the system shows how much attention they are paying to bench depth and organizational flexibility. At the same time, Miami still has broader roster questions hanging over it, including ongoing trade interest around Kyrie Irving and decisions involving Myron Gardner and Nick Richards, which keeps the bench picture from feeling settled just yet. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Backup Point Guard Battle Feels More Unsettled Than Expected
Davion Mitchell may have the starting point guard job locked down for the Heat, but the picture behind him is far less settled than the label of backup would suggest. Dru Smith entered camp as the leading candidate for that role, though his recovery from a minor injury has made the rotation behind Mitchell feel a little more open than expected, with rookies Ryan Conwell and Tre Donaldson also pushing to be part of the conversation.
Donaldson has flashed enough in preseason to keep this from feeling like a simple depth-chart formality, and Erik Spoelstra always has the option of leaning into lineups without a traditional point guard at all. If Miami goes that route, the ball could spend more time in the hands of players like Pelle Larsson, which only adds another layer to a competition that looks likely to stay fluid for a while. [Read more 🡒]