The Miami Heat's front office may have turned lemons into lemonade this offseason, but it's safe to assume that the plan to win an NBA Championship in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era is just getting off the ground.
The first step was landing Giannis and then building a capable supporting cast in year one. They accomplished that. But with the way they've handled their roster-building this summer, there's reason to believe that the Heat could be in line to make another game-changing move next offseason.
As Miami Herald's Barry Jackson points out, thanks at least in part to how the Heat structured Andrew Wiggins' contract extension, Miami will have the ability to use the full $16 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception if they want next summer.
The Heat are only going to get better with Giannis Antetokounmpo
That will give the Heat another opportunity to land a significant player next summer, no matter how this season ends up playing out. That's something that needs to be understood about this team heading into this upcoming season.
It's the idea that, in theory, this is going to be the worst version of the Heat in the Giannis era. Or at least that's the expectation. The fact that they'll still be able to improve their roster next summer with the full non-taxpayer exception proves that.
They don't necessarily have to use it, but it will certainly be in their back pocket if the right player does become available.
And much of that decision will certainly be dictated by how this season plays out for both Giannis and the Heat.
Even though no one outside the Heat building is expecting this team to win a championship, there's no question that there are a certain level of high expectations for this team regardless. That's what happens when a team brings in a superstar.
At the very least, the Heat are expected to make a deep run in the playoffs. If they don't, many will point to this move for Giannis as a big mistake. Or a letdown.
Everyone outside the organization knows it, as does Giannis and this coaching staff.
But, again, if it is any solace, it's the fact that the Heat were operating somewhat with one hand tied behind their back this offseason, because of how much they had to give up in the original Giannis deal.
That won't be the case next summer, when we could possibly see the best version of the Giannis-era Heat.
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