Apr 28, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (center) looks on from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter during game four for the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

NBA Insider Strongly Questions Miami Heat's Strategy Entering Next Season

Originally posted on Miami Heat on SI | By Branson Brooks | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 3:33 PM ET

The Miami Heat are in a peculiar position going into next season.

Although Heat culture is known for resilience and consistently staying in the mix, the outlook for this season doesn't position them as likely contenders in the Eastern Conference. Some analysts even suggest Miami's trajectory is unclear and it’s a toss-up whether they’ll finish near the top or bottom of the standings.

During an episode of The Zach Lowe Show, the NBA insider referred to Miami as a 'WTF team,' signaling their direction remains uncertain.

"I wish I had more interesting things to say about the Heat right now. They're trapped in the middle, and their big project as a team is how do we get untrapped in the middle without tanking? Because we don't want to tank, tanking is less profitable than it used to be, and we're the Heat, we don't tank unless it's by accident," Lowe sarcastically said.

The Heat definitely don’t have the luxury of leaving things up to chance. While Lowe remains uncertain about what Miami will look like, he’s still intrigued by some of the team’s young pieces and their potential to make an impact.

"Jovic seems to take two steps forward one step back every season, but I'm bullish on him," Lowe emphasized. "Kel'el Ware I like it. Jakucionis I like. I like the fit between Ware and Bam even though I'm not sure that's the long term look I would lean into. There is stuff to like here."

As has been repeatedly emphasized, the Heat will need to rely more heavily on their young talent to fully round out the roster if they hope to be true contenders. If not, a repeat of last season’s struggles could be in store for South Beach.