As the Miami Heat head into the new year, we've seen who they are and what they can be. Heading into 2025 as a near .500 team, the team’s path to contention hinges on key decisions and performances.
By committing to these three resolutions in 2025, the Heat can turn their aspirations into reality and hopefully find themselves in serious playoff contention.
1. Make a decision on Jimmy Butler
The Miami Heat’s top priority heading into 2025 is to either retain Jimmy Butler or to jumpstart the retooling of this core. Butler’s "trade preference" has made for a bit of a distraction both on and off the court, creating challenges for a team still trying to establish consistency. With the Heat aiming to avoid a third consecutive season as a play-in team, these rumors surrounding Butler won't help generate a confidence boost in the locker room.
Butler is having an efficient season so far and, when he's played, has had an impact nearly every single night. He's been the guy that has kept this group in playoff contention and it's hard to see a path to continue that contention if he isn't on the roster.
Whether it’s whispers about potential deals or speculation surrounding his future, the noise is disruptive. The Heat should resolve to put an end to the uncertainty by either doubling down on their commitment to Butler or by starting the retool by sending him to a contender of choice.
Offering him an extension would send a clear message: Jimmy isn’t just a player in Miami—he’s a pillar of the team’s culture. Trading him would send a message to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro that the keys have been officially handed over. Although Riley is in no rush to get a deal done, Heat fans can only hope that Pat Riley does what he should've done this past off-season, picking a direction for the future.
It's been a roller coaster of a season so far for Bam Adebayo as the offensive struggles have been prevalent more than ever. Adebayo is more than likely going to snap his streak of two consecutive All-Star appearances as both the numbers and efficiency have dropped.
2. Bam must rediscover his offense
The Heat's next resolution needs to be getting Adebayo back to who he is on offense. There are just too many possessions when he seems to be unsure of himself. He's in his seventh season and has been the cornerstone of Miami’s success in recent years, but his performances so far this season haven’t lived up to his usual standards.
This resolution starts with empowering Bam offensively, encouraging him to take on a more assertive scoring role while continuing to be an offensive hub, which despite the slow start, has arguably been the best part of his offensive game. Adebayo's defense is still top-tier as he continues to anchor yet another top-10 defense in the league.
Whether it’s adjusting offensive schemes or focusing on specific areas of his game, the Heat must prioritize getting Adebayo back to All-Star form for what could be one last dance with Butler. Tyler Herro has found his groove, but for the Heat to maximize their potential, they need Bam to return to the dominant, two-way All-Star force fans know he can be.
3. Avoid the play-in tournament
The final New Year's resolution for the Miami Heat is to avoid the play-in tournament. For the past two seasons, this group has been a play-in team, and at this point, both the fanbase and the team are sick of hoping for miracle runs. As they currently sit as the seventh seed with a record of 16-14, seeding has to be a priority heading into the new year and the second half of the season.
Home court and fewer games to play heading into the playoffs are key as ANYTHING can happen. Who knows what would've happened if Butler never played that extra game in Philadelphia and got hurt?
That's not to say that they would've gone on and won the whole thing with a healthy Butler, but having an aging star play extra games, you're running the risk of losing your best player, and the Heat saw that happen.
With Herro playing the best basketball of his career, the Heat have a dependable offensive engine to lead them through the regular season. If Adebayo continues to showcase his playmaking versatility while consistently delivering 20-point, 10-rebound performances, and Butler returns to full health, this team has everything it needs to secure a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.
While some of these resolutions may be outside the Heat’s complete control, just like any New Year's resolution, it's important to focus on the goal and take it a day at a time. With the right adjustments and a commitment to growth, the Heat can make the end of this 2024-25 season one to remember after a perplexing start to the season.