The 2025-26 campaign is going to be an awkward one for the Miami Heat. They are going to enter the year with a roster that isn't going to be good enough to win a title but also isn't going to be awful enough to tank and get a top pick in the 2026 draft.
To put it simply, the Heat are facing a gap year that most people would simulate in NBA 2K26.
But if you look at the positive side of things, there is a pathway that 2025-26 could set Miami up for years to come.
A gap year for Miami isn't the worst thing in the world
Outside of Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins, every projected key contributor for the Heat in 2025-26 is currently under the age of 30, and a good chunk of the rotation for the Heat is 25 and under.
With the lack of a true superstar, this group is likely to continue experiencing growing pains, especially with the daunting 15-game stretch Miami faces to open the year.
But the goal for the Heat, and what Heat fans should hold onto, is for this young group of talent to take any step forward to set it up for a big splash during the 2026 offseason.
The problem with pursuing Kevin Durant is that he is the type of player you would sell the farm for if you are in a position to win a title, and Miami wouldn't have been in that position in 2025-26 even with Durant.
Pretend, however, that Miami takes a step forward this year and now has a treasure trove of young assets it can trade away to land a disgruntled superstar in 2026 and/or go after one of the veteran free agents who are set to hit the market in 2026 as the "final piece" to a deep run.
All of this is possible next season, but it requires Miami to move forward this season. Because if the Heat stay stagnant in 2025-26, Miami would be more prone to becoming sellers and start the process all over again.