Pat Riley and the Miami Heat aren’t afraid to hit the open seas in search of a “whale”. Will they need to with Bam Adebayo & Jimmy Butler in tow and clicking?
How far can Jimmy and Bam take the Heat?
It’s no secret that the Miami Heat will be looking to bring a third All-Star caliber player to team up with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. They’ve been tied to guys like Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, and of course–the “whale” hunt that is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s (potential) free agency.
But this upcoming postseason will be the real litmus test for their in-house All-Star duo. The front office has seen the regular-season success, in the shape of a 41-24 record this year.
But their own success (or failure) in the playoffs will determine how hard Miami pushes for that third player. The trade market for the summer is already taking shape, with a potential Beal sweepstakes already in the works and if the Miami Heat are ever firmly inclined to go that route, they will have competition.
It’s not all about Butler and Adebayo–the Miami Heat front office has done an incredible job at putting together a supporting cast for the All-Stars in Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Kelly Olynyk, Goran Dragic, and Meyers Leonard.
But those are the guys you look at when you’re measuring the future of your club. No one is going to hold any of the secondary guys accountable for Miami’s potential shortcomings. Butler and Adebayo’s performance during this postseason will determine how the franchise moves forward.