Miami Heat: 4 strongest leaders on the 2022 roster

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 04: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after his team defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 103 - 93 during an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 04: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after his team defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 103 - 93 during an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on March 04, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms up before playing the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the 2020 NBA Finals(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Leaders on the 2022 Miami Heat roster: Jimmy Butler

If you didn’t see this coming, then you might not be a Miami Heat fan. Jimmy Butler is, has been, and will be the number one leader for the Miami Heat.

Ever since he stepped foot in the city a couple of years ago, it was clear that he was going to be the guy. He signed with Miami in 2019 after rough stints in Minnesota and Philadelphia and he never looked back.

In fact, the Miami Heat just signed him to a massive, four-year contract extension. The mutual love between him and the city is clearer than ever.

The moment he joined the team and started hosting 3 a.m. workouts, everyone knew he was going to be a great leader. Those rumors about his time in Minnesota just show that the Timberwolves weren’t ready for a leader as great as Butler.

He led them all the way to the 2020 NBA Finals as the fifth-seed in the East. He then proceeded to put up some of the best performances in Finals history to help them get two wins.

Having a player like Butler on the roster gives Miami an edge in every single game they play in. He doesn’t need to put up all the stats; all he cares about is winning the game.

So, while there will definitely be other leaders on the team, Butler sits at the top. He is the unopposed, most important leader on the Miami Heat this season, and for the foreseeable future.