3. Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is looking like the steal of the 2023 NBA Draft. He might already be the fourth or fifth best player on a Heat team that just went to the NBA Finals last postseason. In Butler’s absence, his skillset has been on full display.
Jaquez has replaced Butler in the starting lineup. His most impressive game so far came on Christmas Day, in which he logged 31 points and 10 rebounds to help lead Miami to victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
2. Tyler Herro
Luckily for the Heat, when Butler went out, Tyler Herro came back. He has been nothing short of sensational on the offensive side of the floor. In the five wins without Butler. Herro averaged a team-high 25.4 points per game. Herro has shown his ability to score at an elite level. Even though the team has been winning without him, his scoring ability is invaluable.
However, it would be nice to see the starting core of this Heat team play more games together. Due to injuries to players like Herro and Butler, Spoelstra has been forced to try a league-leading 18 different starting lineups this season.
1. Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo has put the Miami Heat on his back this season and has been their clear best player overall so far. Bam’s leadership and ability on both ends of the floor have helped drive the Heat to a 5-1 record over the last six games without Butler. Bam continues to show why he is an All-Defense NBA player. Without Butler, the spotlight has been on him. He has proven that he is capable of leading this team to success.