MIAMI — In sports right now, it’s all about the depth chart, with NFL and NCAA teams defining a definitive hierarchy.
In the NBA, these depth charts are just estimates, available nowhere other than, say, a personnel board in the general manager’s office. If there ever was one.
For the Miami Heat, just under a month before training campThe notion of a depth chart is nebulous, at best, at the moment.
Backup Center? At least a preview.
Backup power forward? Only a small option.
Backup winger? Sure, unless that same player is the backup fullback.
A replacement full-back? The options seem to be limited to 30-somethings or unproven players.
A backup leader? Is there one?
Of course, in a league where only five players play at a time, depth can also be overrated.
Consider what the Boston Celtics put together during their dominant run to the NBA title last season. For starters, there was the elite quintet of Jayson Tatum (pre-Olympic version), Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White, each of whom had All-Star potential last season and each of whom likely has All-Star potential this season.
But also think of a bench, with all due respect, consisting of Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman and Luke Kornet.
Yes, a bench and depth chart can be important. But a starting lineup matters even more.
However, with the absence of a player considered a superstar, depth will need to be important for what Erik Spoelstra fields this season.
Which means the Heat’s depth chart will be important.
Which raises as many questions as it answers.
Center
Starter: Bam Adebayo.
And then what?: Probably, in order, Kevin Love, Kel’el Ware and Thomas Bryant.
Love didn’t renew his contract this offseason to return to a Udonis Haslem-like role. One of the reasons he requested his buyout from the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 2023 was to remain an active presence in the NBA.
Ware certainly showed NBA-level skills during Summer League, but the Heat’s strategy under Spoelstra has been to earn his place in the rotation. The 15th overall pick out of Indiana will play this season, but it could be a journey that begins outside of the main rotation.
Bryant’s return is as much a salary maneuver as it is a pressing need at that level of the rotation. He bought the Heat some breathing room by opting to re-sign. Still, on nights when Adebayo can’t play, Bryant could serve as an emergency starter, with Spoelstra preferring not to change his rotation in response to a starter’s absence.
Power forward
Starter: Nikola Jovic.
And then what?: But Jovic should also be noted in pencil rather than pen, simply because his skill set was a better fit for the ones the Heat had to start last postseason due to injuries.
From there, unless Spolestra opts for Adebayo-Ware or Adebayo-Love, big-time pairings he’s been reluctant to use in recent years, it would appear that 6’5″ Haywood Highsmith would be the only remaining backup option outside of two-way player Keshad Johnson, who the Heat lists at 6’6″.
Winger
Starter: Jimmy Butler.
And then what?: This starting slot must be written in pen or indelible marker.
Likewise, Jaime Jaquez Jr. would be the logical replacement here, with a similar offensive profile, who would arguably work better in place of Butler rather than alongside him.
From there, there are the options of Duncan Robinson and Alec Burks further down the depth chart. While Robinson has often been slotted at fullback, it’s not like his defensive skills work best against smaller, quicker, and faster players.
Rear shooter
Starter: Tyler Herro.
What’s next? For all the talk of his sixth man’s success, Herro has done nothing to warrant a move to the bench. This Heat team will only work if the Heat can finally find a way to make Herro-Butler-Adebayo work.
From there, the Heat look to two players in their 30s to support the guard position, whether it’s Burks, 33, or Josh Richardson, soon to be 31. Yes, there’s depth at the position. But quality depth? Perhaps this is where Josh Christopher makes a statement that complements his summer league success.
Finally, second-round pick Pelle Larsson could potentially force his way into this mix.
Or Jaquez could play as a substitute.
Playmaker
Starter: Terry Rozier.
And then what?: As with Herro, speculation about Rozier being benched is just that. You don’t give up a potentially unprotected first-round pick for a player you’d then use as a reserve.
The problem is the lack of depth at the position, let alone a true point guard, with, for now, newbies Dru Smith, Isaiah Stevens and Zyon Pullin as the remaining backup options.
If this were the NFL, with its ever-changing depth charts, you could say the Heat would eventually see what’s available after the NBA’s roster cuts day on Oct. 21. But this is the NBA, where the Heat are tied to 14 guaranteed contracts, without the luxury tax money to add a 15th.
Yes, there is depth. But quality depth?
IN THE ALLEY
DETERMINING VOTE: In his recent interview with ForbesHeat protection Tyler Herro said one goal is paramount this season, “As far as adding to my strengths,” he said, “I really want to improve my efficiency to maximize my ability as a scorer.” It’s an approach that could prove to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, a more complete game, including better finishing at the rim, would make Herro an even greater offensive threat. But on the other hand, with mid-range scorers like Jimmy Butler And Bam Adebayo Herro, who is already a starter, would have likely preferred a more catch-and-shoot game. Herro, reluctantly, took a small step in that direction last season. It will be interesting to see where he plans to “maximize” his chances.
APPROPRIATE TRIBUTE: Ahead of Goran DragicAt Goran Dragic’s retirement game this weekend in Slovenia, the Slovenian Basketball Federation, KZS, officially retired the number 3 from the country’s senior national team. “Words and actions are not enough to express gratitude and respect for such a great player as Goran Dragic,” said the president of KZS Matej Erjavec said, according to EuroHoopsof the former Heat point guard. “His extraordinary career, his approach to wearing the Slovenian national team jersey and his success on the court speak for themselves. Goran Dragic deserves to be honored for everything he has done for Slovenian basketball. Retiring the number three jersey is a gesture from the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to show our deep respect for him.” Dragic’s Heat number 7, however, remains in play, worn after he was retired first by Kyle Lowry and now, first round pick in 2024 Kel’el ArticlesDragic, 38, led Slovenia to the 2017 European Basketball Championship while with the Heat.
EXTERNAL LUCK: While arguably the path less traveled to NBA success, G League tryouts, like the one announced last week by the Heat, have had their fair share of success over the years. Among those who have made it to the NBA through such opportunities are: Jonathan Simmons, Alfonzo McKinnie And Juan Toscano-AndersonThe Miami Heat’s Sioux Falls Skyforce tryouts will take place Sept. 29 at the Kaseya Center, the day before the Heat’s annual media day before training camp. Tryouts will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Sunday, with registration at 9 a.m. The registration deadline is Sept. 28. According to the Heat, “applicants for this year’s local tryout must be eligible to play in the NBA G League and must pre-register by submitting the Registration Form, Medical Information Release and Release Forms and a non-refundable $200 fee.” Details are available at sfskyforce.com/3yI5Ctc.
THE 76ERS ALSO: As the Heat have done three times before and will do again this year in October at the Baha Mar Resort, the Philadelphia 76ers will hold their training camp in the Bahamas, using the facilities of the Atlantis Resort. Going to training camp has become a habit for the 76ers under the direction of coach Nick Nursewho previously took his team to camps in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2022 and Fort Collins, Colorado, last year. The Heat held camps in the Bahamas in 2013, 2016 and 2022, the first two times in Atlantis and most recently in Baha Mar. The Heat has not yet officially announced its camp plans.
NUMBER
3rd. ESPN’s preseason prediction for Heat center Bam Adebayo‘s ranking for 2024-25 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, behind projected winner Victor Wembanyama Spurs and Rudy Gobert Timberwolves. Adebayo placed third last year, with Gobert winning and Wembanyama finishing runner-up.
