As early as it is into the 2025-26 NBA season, the Miami Heat have already exceeded expectations. Granted, that's partly because the bar was set so low for this bunch, but it's also due to their unexpected (but maybe sustainable) offensive surge.
It's an exciting time in South Beach, especially since All-Star guard Tyler Herro and rookie first-rounder Kasparas Jakucionis so far haven't been a part of the action. However, their impending returns aren't the biggest reason to think the Heat can take this thing even farther.
Rather, that belief stems from the fact that Miami's two biggest breakout candidates, Nikola Jovic and Kel'el Ware, haven't gotten going yet. And since both are on-paper fits for the new movement-based offensive approach, that should be a matter of when and not if those leaps will happen.
Next steps from Jovic and Ware could be full-fledged game-changers.
While the intention here isn't to downplay the significance of a healthy Herro, the truth is plugging him into this offense could create some turbulence. He'll have fewer on-ball opportunities than last season, when he ascended to stardom. And head coach Erik Spoelstra will have fewer minutes and touches available for the players who have fueled this fast start.
Throw in the fact that Norman Powell has produced (as a scorer and shooter) at a level similar to what Herro hit last season, and the Heat aren't exactly missing his production. Herro will help, obviously, but there might be a cap on how high he can raise the ceiling.
The discussion is different with Jovic and Ware. That's because Miami has never consistently had both at their best, so this team (and the other 29 around the Association) hasn't even seen how good it can be if that ever happens.
And remember, the breakout buzz has been booming for Jovic, whose shot-making and ball-handling should make him a perfect fit for this play style. Ware has plenty of breakout potential of his own, although he also has an inconsistency issue to figure out.
Granted, development doesn't always happen on our preferred timeline, so it's entirely possible one of these young players (or, gulp, even both) fails to take a forward step. Still, this play style should complement their games, and this coaching staff has worked many a miracle on the developmental front, so there is no shortage of arrows pointing toward their respective rises.
And if the Heat are this hard for opponents to handle without substantial growth from Jovic and Ware, just imagine how beastly this bunch could be if their light bulbs click. That's when this team can transform from an early-season surprise to a late-season contender for the Eastern Conference crown.