Hello everyone, and welcome to the new weekly series on AUCH, “Heat Hierarchy,” where we power-rank every player on the Miami Heat roster every Tuesday morning based on their performance from the week. I’m Alexy Berson, and I’m excited to take you along for the ride every Tuesday morning.
First, a few rules:
1. These rankings will be based on performance from only this upcoming season (excluding today’s edition).
2. Injured players will be included unless the injury is season-ending.
3. G-League and prior team performances for newly traded/signed players will be included.
4. Two-way players are included.
Let’s get into the list.
17. Vlad Goldin (Two-Way)
Vlad Goldin has been with the Heat for three seasons now and has shown no signs of getting a standard roster spot. He only has nine appearances in his NBA career (all garbage time), and while he has solid G League stats, it's hard to envision how he's going to earn a standard contract on this Heat roster.
16. Tre Donaldson (Two-Way)
Out of the three two-way players, Tre Donaldson could move up the most considering the position he plays. The Heat are incredibly thin at point guard, and if Dru Smith continues to struggle with injuries, Donaldson has a legitimate path to minutes or even a standard contract by the end of the season. For now, he will get plenty of reps in the G League after being a featured player for the Heat’s Summer League team.
15. Keshad Johnson (Two-Way)
Keshad Johnson has appeared in 48 regular-season games for the Heat, and clearly head coach Erik Spoelstra believes in him to some extent. Unfortunately for Johnson, there just appears to be no space for him in the rotation as of now. He could get minutes at some point, though, especially if the play (or a trade) of Nikola Jovic gives him an opportunity.
14. Nick Richards
Nick Richards will probably make the Heat’s opening night roster, but his spot is hanging on by a thread. He’s very clearly the lowest on the totem pole for the Heat, and while he could possibly provide decent center minutes, he has quite a few guys in front of him and Vlad Goldin behind him. I would be interested in seeing him and Bobby Portis together, though.
13. Nikola Jovic
This is a make-or-break season for Nikola Jovic. No doubt about it. He’s on a huge contract and had by far his worst statistical year last season. I think there’s a better chance of him being traded than of him being a valuable rotation player this year, but you never know with him, since he’s still only 23 years old.
12. Simone Fontecchio
After starting last season on a heater, Simone Fontecchio struggled to stay in the rotation in the second half of the year. This means he will probably start the season deep on the bench, but his streaky shooting could give him another chance in the rotation. However, he will probably need a wing or two to be injured for him to get consistent minutes again.
11. Ryan Conwell
With the Dru Smith injury potentially holding him out of opening night, Ryan Conwell could be getting minutes immediately for the Heat. As the youngest player on the Heat roster at 22 years old, he may not shine immediately, but he’s someone to look out for as the season progresses.
10. Myron Gardner
Myron Gardner had a sneaky good season in his limited minutes last year, and could be a rotation regular at some point. He does have a lot of competition at the wing spot (especially since Spo can go small with wings too), but he will play this season and is on a huge discount contract that could make him valuable if he continues to develop.
9. Dru Smith
This could feel high for Dru Smith, but his stellar defense has kept him in the rotation despite his immense offensive struggles. Smith is nearing 30 years old, and considering his injury issues and his limited ceiling, I can't imagine his margin for error will be vast. But he probably holds a rotation spot for now.
8. Bobby Portis
Just off his chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis has a solidified spot in the Heat’s rotation. He’s coming off a season shooting nearly 46 percent from 3, and is the Heat’s only "prototypical" stretch big off the bench (barring a miracle developmental step from Jovic).
7. Pelle Larsson
After a new contract extension, Pelle Larsson looks poised to become a regular starter for the Heat at some point. Larsson already shows flashes of why he should be in that position on a regular basis, but probably needs another year or two to put it all together. All that said, don’t be shocked if he moves into the top 4 this season, though.
6. Tim Hardaway Jr.
One of the best bench players in the NBA, Tim Hardaway Jr. will be in contention for a starting spot for the entire season. However, considering how good he was off the bench last year, I think Spo will opt to keep him as a reserve to fortify the bench unit. Plus, for as good as he is offensively, defense continues to be a struggle for him.
5. Klay Thompson
While there's an argument to be made that Klay Thompson should be a spot or two above No. 5, his advanced age and non-guaranteed starting role make this feel right. Thompson provides more defensively than Hardaway Jr., but if Larsson picks up his shooting numbers, he might be squarely positioned to take this spot from him. For now, he’s a starter and should be able to adjust to his new role as a 4th/5th option.
4. Davion Mitchell
Davion Mitchell is a great defender and has been able to develop into a quality 3-point shooter and playmaker over the past two years. Unfortunately for the Heat, he is a free agent after this season, and this is the perfect time for him to price himself out of the Heat’s range. I expect a career year from him.
3. Andrew Wiggins
The big question for Andrew Wiggins is: Can he step up and truly be the 3rd option the Heat need? He obviously is a talented scorer, and his 3-point shooting and defense are excellent, but now he once again is being thrown into championship expectations. With a new extension, though, Wiggins is likely here for the long term.
2. Bam Adebayo
The captain comes in at No. 2 pretty easily, as he continues to be an all-star-worthy player on both ends of the floor. The fit between him and Giannis will, of course, be questioned, but Bam Adebayo's done nothing but adjust to what the team needs, and I expect this to continue in the coming years.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
The obvious answer here: Giannis Antetokounmpo has been an MVP-level player for a long time, and this year will be no different. If healthy, he will continue to dominate on both ends of the floor, and now he has a much better supporting cast and head coach to assist him in his pursuit of another championship.
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