Even though they once again have not acquired a star, people are loving the offseason put together by the Miami Heat. The Norman Powell acquisition, of course, is at the center of it all. He is the perfect addition for this team. But his arrival is also part of building up a larger strength not receiving enough attention.
Next year’s Heat squad is deep. Like, really deep.
In fact, they have quietly, expertly, assembled a bench mob that’s just as deep as any other NBA team’s rotation.
Miami’s depth chart is filled with NBA-caliber players
Figuring out Miami’s rotation at this stage of the summer is difficult. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has at least a couple decisions to make with the starting lineup, which will directly impact who’s on the bench.
Powell could come off the pine, or begin games next to Tyler Herro. Either Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jovic could start alongside Bam Adebayo. Really, Adebayo, Herro, and Andrew Wiggins feel like the lone locks to open games.
Regardless, the strength of the Heat’s bench is undeniable when looking at their entire roster:
- Guards: Tyler Herro, Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Kasparas Jakucionis, Terry Rozier
- Wings: Andrew Wiggins, Haywood Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Simone Fontecchio, Pelle Larsson, Keshad Johnson
- Bigs: Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic
A couple of swing players will determine just how deep the rotation stretches. Keshad Johnson looks like a pretty good find, but it remains unclear whether he’ll factor into the every-night rotation. The same can be said for Pelle Larsson, and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis. At least one seems destined to become a mainstay. But neither is Sharpie’d in for a definitive opportunity—though, Larsson is doing his darnedest to make sure that changes.
Miami’s depth also hinges on a couple of other questions. How will Haywood Highsmith look after undergoing knee surgery? Is Jaime Jaquez Jr. due for a standout third year after leveling off as a sophomore? Can Simone Fontecchio shoot better than he did last season with the Detroit Pistons? Is Terry Rozier even an NBA player anymore, or will he just collect dust until Miami finds a way to trade him?
The Heat’s bench could swing their spot in the East
Even if a few matters don’t break the Heat’s way, their worst-case scenario will be a rotation that stretches nine to 10 actual NBA players deep. This isn’t something most other squads can say.
That may even understate the uniqueness of Miami’s depth. The Cleveland, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder all comfortably go 10 or more reliable names deep. After that, the Denver Nuggets might get there. The Orlando Magic have an outside chance, too.
If you’ll notice, though, this list of teams is heavily dominated by Western Conference teams. Few squads in the East match Miami’s top-to-bottom optionality at full or partial strength.
This isn’t enough for the Heat to declare themselves a contender. They need at least one other high-end contributor to earn that designation. But given the fragile and wide-open state of the conference, Miami’s depth has quietly armed it with a blueprint to shock the East—and perhaps the rest of the NBA, too.