Eastern Conference · Southeast Division
Miami · Kaseya Center · Founded in 1988 · 3 titles (latest in 2013)
The franchise
Head coach
Erik Spoelstra since 2008
Two-time champion (2012 and 2013) and the longest-tenured coach with one team in the NBA, known for his tactical adaptability.
Assistants
What the franchise says and what its moves show
Miami is back in championship mode with an Antetokounmpo-Adebayo frontcourt that aims to be among the best in the league. The price was nearly all of its young core and several first-round picks, and the team is hard-capped at the first luxury tax apron, so the front office is targeting improvements around its two stars next summer. Spoelstra wants Giannis back in the race for best player in the league.
Building around
Giannis Antetokounmpo Bam Adebayo
What they have said
He senses great alignment across the organization about the opportunity and wants Giannis to cement himself in the conversation for best player in the league.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra · Heat Media Day (Last Word on Sports / Sports Illustrated) · September 2026With Giannis, the goal is no longer just making the playoffs but winning a ring.
Bam Adebayo, player · Yahoo Sports · September 2026What the data points to
Summer 2026
Latest
14 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries
| Player | Age | Salary | Through |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starters | |||
| Davion Mitchell G Expiring | 28 | 12.4 M | 2026-27 |
| Klay Thompson G | 36 | 5.6 M | 2027-28 |
| Andrew Wiggins F | 31 | 30.2 M | 2028-29 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo F | 31 | 58.5 M | 2027-28 |
| Bam Adebayo C | 29 | 49.8 M | 2028-29 |
| Rotation | |||
| Tim Hardaway Jr. G Expiring | 34 | 6.5 M | 2026-27 |
| Pelle Larsson G | 25 | 2.3 M | 2030-31 |
| Bobby Portis F | 31 | 14.5 M | 2027-28 |
| Dru Smith G | 28 | 2.6 M | 2027-28 |
| Nick Richards C | 28 | 2.4 M | 2026-27 |
| The rest | |||
| Ryan Conwell G | 22 | 1.4 M | 2028-29 |
| Nikola Jovic F | 23 | 16.2 M | 2029-30 |
| Tre Donaldson G | 22 | – | – |
| Simone Fontecchio F | 30 | 2.4 M | 2026-27 |
| Myron Gardner F | 25 | 2.2 M | 2027-28 |
| Vladislav Goldin C | 25 | – | – |
| Keshad Johnson F | 25 | – | – |
The analysis, with data
Strengths
Weaknesses
Nothing among the league's bottom eight.
Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)
| Offensive ratingpoints per 100 possessions | 117.4 | 13th |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive ratingpoints allowed per 100 possessions | 115.3 | 13th |
| Net ratingper 100 possessions | +2.2 | 13th |
| Pacepossessions per game | 102.7 | 1st |
| Three-point volumeof its shots are threes | 40.6 % | 18th |
| Three-point accuracyfrom three | 36.1 % | 11th |
| Offensive reboundingof its misses rebounded | 25.4 % | 17th |
| Defensive reboundingof opponent misses rebounded | 74.9 % | 8th |
| Ball securityturnovers per 100 possessions | 12.7 | 5th |
| Ball movementof its baskets are assisted | 66.3 % | 10th |
No clear hole: no position or facet in the bottom third of the league.
Expiring this season
With an option next summer
Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)
None.
Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)
None.
Payroll 209.1 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M
Players who fit and that it can afford
A trade that works under the CBA
LAC gets
MIA gets
Trade pieces
Your turn
Send us your take: a trade, an extension or the team's direction. The best ones make it onto the podcast.
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Players it sends
First-round picks
Players it sends
First-round picks
Can it be done? The CBA
The GMs' verdict
