Miami HeatGiannis and Adebayo, Miami's new balance
Miami have stepped up a level by signing Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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Miami have stepped up a level by signing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Alongside Bam Adebayo, the Greek gives the Heat two players capable of dominating near the rim and running the offence. For Erik Spoelstra, the challenge will be to turn that power into an attack with enough spacing, while also getting back to the playoffs.
The starting point: rebuilding from tenth place
The Heat finished the 2025–2026 regular season with 43 wins and 39 losses, in tenth place in the East, before going out in the play-in tournament. That record shows the distance still to be covered. The arrival of a two-time MVP changes what the group can do; it does not hand them the habits of a team already established at the top. Spoelstra remains in charge of this transformation.
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A summer spent surrounding two playmaking big men
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis arrive from Milwaukee, while Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis went the other way. Klay Thompson, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Nick Richards complete the experienced additions; Ryan Conwell also joins the group. Norman Powell has left as well. Miami have therefore gained a major star while giving up several perimeter options and some youth. The distribution of minutes will have to reflect that change.
- →Giannis AntetokounmpoGiannis Antetokounmpo · arrival
- →Ryan ConwellRyan Conwell · arrival
- →Tim Hardaway Jr.Tim Hardaway Jr. · arrival
- →Bobby PortisBobby Portis · arrival
- →Nick RichardsNick Richards · arrival
- →Klay ThompsonKlay Thompson · arrival
- ←Tyler Herro · departure
- ←Kel’el Ware · departure
- ←Jaime Jaquez Jr. · departure
- ←Kasparas Jakučionis · departure
- ←Norman Powell · departure
The group's offensive benchmarks
2025–26 regular season, all teams combined. A documented selection of players with at least ten games; not an exhaustive ranking. The new signings put up these numbers before arriving.
Giannis, a threat to be kept in motion
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo comes off a season averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, but in only 36 appearances. Those averages, recorded before his arrival, are not a forecast for Miami. They show the three levers Spoelstra can draw on: finishing, rebounding and passing. By getting the Greek running after a defensive stop, the Heat could attack before the opposing defence has a chance to close the paint. In the half court, Adebayo can act as a relay rather than always occupying the same spot.
23 % of the team's scoring average
19 % of the team's assist average
Per-game average ratios for 2025–26, not official shares of totals. Player and team have different games-played counts; the newcomer may have played for another club.
The projected starting five and the options off the bench
Our season projection pairs Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. This is not an official line-up. Mitchell would bring organisation, Thompson spacing and Wiggins a versatile presence on the wing. Pelle Larsson and Tim Hardaway Jr. offer other perimeter combinations; Portis can provide points with the second unit. Nikola Jović, Simone Fontecchio and Nick Richards allow the team to alter size and shooting around the inside duo. The choice of who finishes games will have to depend on the opposition and on availability.
The other rotation options
SNA season projection, not an official starting five or a guaranteed opening-night line-up. Roles and availability are detailed in the text and the dated update.
Three-point shooting
2025–26 averages, all teams combined. Documented selection: minimum ten games and at least one attempt per game. Red line: club average, 36.1%.
Availability: situation as of 15 October 2026
Dru Smith · Questionable (day to day). Kylor Kelley · Questionable (day to day). Bam Adebayo · Questionable (day to day). Pelle Larsson · Questionable (day to day). These statuses relate to preparation and may change. These statuses guarantee neither a place in the season opener nor the choice of the starting five.
The squad: 21 players
List of 21 players recorded at training camp on 15 October 2026. The positions are those of the official list; versatile players can fill several roles. This snapshot includes fringe players and does not prejudge the final roster or the minutes.
| Player | Status | Pts | Reb | Ast | 3PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centres and big men | |||||
| Bam Adebayo | Doubtful | 20.1 | 10 | 3.2 | 31.8 % |
| Vladislav Goldin | – | – | – | – | |
| Kylor Kelley | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Nick Richards | Newcomer | – | – | – | – |
| Forwards and utility players | |||||
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Newcomer | 27.6 | 9.8 | 5.4 | 33.3 % |
| Simone Fontecchio | – | – | – | – | |
| Myron Gardner | – | – | – | – | |
| Keshad Johnson | – | – | – | – | |
| Nikola Jovic | – | – | – | – | |
| Gabe Madsen | – | – | – | – | |
| Bobby Portis | Newcomer | 13.7 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 45.6 % |
| Ian Schieffelin | – | – | – | – | |
| Klay Thompson | Newcomer | 11.7 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 38.3 % |
| Andrew Wiggins | 15.4 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 41.4 % | |
| Guards | |||||
| Ryan Conwell | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Tre Donaldson | – | – | – | – | |
| Tim Hardaway Jr. | Rookie | – | – | – | – |
| Pelle Larsson | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
| Bez Mbeng | – | – | – | – | |
| Davion Mitchell | 9.3 | 2.7 | 6.5 | 39.5 % | |
| Dru Smith | Doubtful | – | – | – | – |
2025–2026 averages, all teams combined. "–": unverified data, or the threshold of ten games and one three-point attempt not met. Training-camp group, not a final rotation. Statuses are as of 15 October, with no guarantee for the opener.
Strengths and risks: avoiding a crowded paint
The first promise is defensive: the mobility of Adebayo and Antetokounmpo can allow the Heat to switch and cover in multiple ways. The second concerns the fast break. The risk appears when opponents force a slow game and protect the paint: team-mates will have to stretch the defence, then punish the help. Thompson finished 2025–2026 at 38.3% from three-point range and Wiggins at 41.4%. These individual benchmarks are useful, but they do not guarantee the same accuracy in new combinations. The physical continuity of the group will be the other condition for an ambitious season.
Where they can lean
- The defensive versatility of the frontcourt duo.
- Giannis to push the pace after stoppages.
- Several experienced shooters.
Work in progress
- Finding space in half-court offence.
- Getting through minutes without the frontcourt duo.
- Maintaining physical continuity.
The ambition: regaining a lasting place among the best
Direct qualification for the playoffs would be a sensible first benchmark given the resources committed. The ability to compete in a series against the East’s best teams will then be judged on more specific passages of play: holding up defensively with the shooters on the floor, creating without rushing, and keeping an option available when Giannis or Adebayo is resting. Talent makes a deep run conceivable; collective balance has still to be built.
Directly qualifying for the playoffs would be a first benchmark consistent with the resources committed.
Roles and pairings will have to turn these ambitions into collective results.
Miami will open at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on 22 October at 0:30 in Brazzaville. The game is scheduled for 21 October in the United States. The preseason that precedes it does not count towards the regular-season record. Find the fixtures and results after that on the SNA NBA calendar.
22 October at 00:30, Brazzaville time · match centre
- The team’s live schedule appears here.
Countdown to tip-off.