As the Miami Heat prepare for what most would describe as a "gap" year, their fans must be prepared to practice patience. Another superstar acquisition will eventually come for the Heat, but it's going to take some time. That may not be what Heat fans want to hear, but it's the truth for several reasons.
As ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps notes, there will be no shortage of star players who may want to play in Miami in the future, but there are other factors that the front office must sort through before pulling the trigger on a big move.
For one, the Heat must get its financial books right. That means figuring out Tyler Herro's future, along with several other of their young, rising difference-makers. Additionally, the Heat needs to define what they're building toward.
Are they embracing a youth movement? Do they want a star player in their prime? Do they want a more veteran-laden star? Miami has some identity-searching it must address before rashly pulling the trigger.
And finally, the Heat needs to figure out what avenue they plan on taking to add said superstar player, because, in many ways, the star-hunting game has changed a lot in just the last few years.
The challenges to landing another star player
Especially in the ever-changing landscape of star players in the Association, it won't be that easy for the Heat to land another face of the franchise. At least not as simple as perhaps the fans are hoping it will be. In the past, the Heat has had success luring star players via free agency (LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Jimmy Butler, and Kyle Lowry). But those days are long gone.
While the star players do have a strong influence in today's game, it's all about trades. Star players are no longer getting to free agency because they're controlling their destiny a year or two before it comes to that, through demanding a trade.
But here's the kicker. If the Heat wants to take advantage of that market, they need to understand the means it takes to be successful. Up until now, the Heat's philosophy of devaluing first-round picks has run completely contrary to that.
In the past, first-round picks may not have carried much value to a star-chasing team like the Heat. Certainly not as much value as cap space.
However, things are different now. In many ways, first-round picks have become much more valuable than cap space. And Miami's front office must catch up before they're able to land a star player.
And that's something that fans must understand. So while it's important for the Heat to patiently wait for the right opportunity to present itself, they must also build up their draft asset chest. And, unfortunately, because of their past mistakes, that may also take some time.
That's especially the case if the Heat aren't willing to sacrifice wins this season for future draft capital.
It's not something that fans may want to hear, but the Heat probably aren't close to landing their next superstar. It's going to take time, and fans must practice patience. There'll be a day when the Heat gets their next superstar player; I'm just not certain that's going to come anytime soon.