Miami Heat: Predicting the starting lineup for next season

These positions are fairly straightforward, with only the power forward spot coming into question. Who should the Miami heat roll out?

SF – Jimmy Butler

Barring something supernatural, expect to see Jimmy Butler starting for the Miami Heat next season. He’s an All-Star, arguably the best player on the team, and gets paid over $36 million next year.

Even if the Heat sign a max player like Kawhi Leonard, the Heat will find a way for them to start together. Butler will be a starter next season.

PF – Trevor Ariza or a free agent

Trevor Ariza played pretty well for the Miami Heat last season. He played in 30 games for the Heat and started in 27 of them.

In those games he averaged 28 minutes and put up 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He shot 41.1% from the field and 35% from deep.

Ariza will be a free agent, so the Heat would have to re-sign him. However, the contract would likely be cheap, so retaining him shouldn’t be that difficult.

If Ariza does choose to leave, however, the Heat will probably have to find a replacement in free agency. Cheap options at the position include Paul Millsap and PJ Tucker, while more expensive options could be Lauri Markkanen or John Collins.

C – Bam Adebayo

Another no-brainer as Bam Adebayo has solidified himself as an All-Star quality player in the NBA. He’s the cornerstone of the franchise and will be for the foreseeable future.

The Miami Heat just gave him a max extension to be their starting center for the next five years. He’ll be competing for Defensive Player of the Year awards for a long time in a Heat uniform.