The new year is always an opportunity to shed middling habits and grow into new ones. Maybe you’re targeting a fitness goal, attempting to save for a new home or looking forward to traveling somewhere you’ve never been.
When applying the last potential resolution to the Miami Heat (16-14), traveling up the East standings might be their most practical goal after an up-and-down start to this season. Trade rumors, close losses and fractured rotations have been common themes for the Heat this season — and Jimmy Butler chatter won’t fully cease until the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline passes. But there are reasons for Miami to be grateful entering 2025, whether it decides to continue pressing for another postseason berth or open a new chapter for the franchise.
But because everyone has their own list of resolutions for New Year’s Day, let’s examine five things for the Heat to focus on in 2025:
5. More Kel’el Ware minutes
For the last few years, the Heat have been one of the NBA’s worst shot-blocking teams across the NBA while routinely sporting an elite defense. The biggest reason for that, of course, has been Bam Adebayo, who is the only player to earn an All-Defensive nod in each season dating back to 2019-20, his first season as a starter.
The two-time gold medalist has preached for the 20-year-old Ware, who was drafted 15th this year, to be patient in cracking Miami’s rotation, but the gradual uptick in Ware’s playing time has offered glimpses into the future of Heat basketball. In 137 minutes of playing time, the rookie 7-footer has helped Miami hold opponents to only 40.1 percent shooting compared to a 46.6 percent mark when he has sat (1,318 minutes, for impatient Heat fans interested in keeping count).
Beyond defense, though, teammates like Tyler Herro and Kevin Love acknowledge the vertical threat Ware provides on offense. Miami’s pace with Ware (102.9 possessions) is far higher than when he sits (97.5), which should bode well once Erik Spoelstra believes the Heat are ready to further unleash their rim-running big with floor-spacing chops. Until then, though, Adebayo advises Ware to remain patient and grateful.
“Run the floor, catch lobs, contribute some minutes,” Adebayo said of Ware’s role. “We’ll figure out everything else. Like I tell him, ‘You lucky you get to play. I didn’t get to play.’ So, it’s good he’s getting his feet wet, he gets to go out there, make mistakes but also learn at the same time.”
4. Keep leaning on veteran presence
Vets like Love are needed in the NBA because, as Heat assistant coach Malik Allen recently explained to The Athletic, the 37-year-old backup center masterfully balances providing the team laughs and stern talks. When Love has played, he remains an effective contributor, but his presence in the locker room has been key to young players like Ware and Jaime Jaquez Jr. adjusting to the NBA. In the latter’s case, his second pro season hasn’t gone as hoped, but the 2023-24 All-Rookie selection did enjoy a breakout performance against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 26 (15 points, 3-of-shooting on 3s, career-high five steals).
In that same game, Alec Burks tossed in a season-high 17 points, six rebounds and three steals. Although the 33-year-old’s minutes (17.1 minutes per game) and scoring (6.8) are his lowest in several years, he’s been impactful when the Heat have relied on him. On the season, Miami’s net rating swings by a team-high plus-12.7 points when Burks has played. (For context, that’s almost double that of Butler’s mark of plus-7.6).
“The season’s long, so you’re going to need different people at different times,” Burks said after Miami beat Orlando. “I’m just glad we got the win.”
3. Finish close games better
The Heat have lost six games by three points or less this season, tied with Toronto Raptors (7-25) and Sacramento Kings (14-19) for the NBA lead. That’s awkward for Miami, because Toronto wants to lose games, while the Kings recently fired 2023 Coach of the Year Mike Brown and are figuring out how to restore playoff form.
A few of those close losses being wins for the Heat could be the difference between a Play-In berth and challenging the Magic for a top-four seed. A key solution could be Miami being less Jekyll-and-Hyde in clutch situations. In the weekend before beating Orlando 89-88, the Heat blew a 25-point fourth quarter lead before losing 121-114.
Five days later, Herro — who said he and the team would be better in close situations going forward — nailed a game-winner in Orlando to keep Miami above .500. Another reason for the Heat to improve their late-game prowess? They quietly have a worse win percentage in such games (.389) than the Washing Wizards (.400); here’s to hoping that won’t be sustained.
2. Continue trusting their Herro
As we discussed yesterday, Herro’s case for being a first-time All-Star is growing strong, even in an Eastern Conference filled with talented guards. Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Damian Lillard, Trae Young and Cade Cunningham are rightly among those worthy of being voted in, but that doesn’t mean Herro hasn’t been putting in impressive work.
He’s on pace to record the 13th season in franchise history with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, which would join him with Butler, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. Among the dozen prior such instances, only Wade (age-23 and age-24 seasons) produced so well at a younger age than the 25-year-old Herro. In the latter’s team-high 1,055 minutes on the court so far, Miami’s offense tinkers between resembling a top-10 unit when Herro plays (114.1 points per 100 possessions) compared to a league-worst mark when he sits (103).
Miami’s record won’t garner any MVP votes for Herro, but he’s absolutely been vital to keeping the team afloat entering 2025.
1. Resolve the Butler drama
This has been Miami’s elephant in the room and will remain such until the trade deadline passes, even with team president Pat Riley announcing via a statement the team won’t be trading Butler.
Because trade rumors will always move the needle for fans, Butler remaining on the roster by midseason will be the best way to quell any concerns about his future with the team. And even then, the next potential chapter is what happens with Butler’s $52.4 million player option for next season. The 35-year-old and the Heat did attempt to reach an agreement on a two-year contract extension earlier this year, but he’s drawing closer to hitting this summer’s open market. By staying in Miami, Butler could be eligible for a max-salary deal for up to four years or sign a three-year deal by going elsewhere.
Statement from Pat Riley
“We usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 26, 2024
Reports have listed the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns among Butler’s preferred non-Miami destinations, but only time will tell how long he’s in a Heat uniform, especially as Miami gauges the contents of its next basketball chapter. Still, the six-time All-Star has been a reliable catalyst for Miami this season. Among Miami players, he’s second to Herro in scoring average (18.5) while sporting the highest shooting percentage of his career (55.2). Whether Butler remains in Miami or does part for newer pastures, it’s hard to argue he’s rightly desired to bolster winning.
Happy New Year, Heat fans! Thank you for reading and supporting.
(Top photo: Issac Baldizon / Getty Images)
