The Miami Heat may already have a defined plan heading into the offseason. However, maybe all that will start to change as Tyrese Haliburton’s historic success continues to strongly echo across the league. Many times, the NBA can be considered a “copycat” league. With the success that the Indiana Pacers have experienced with Haliburton as the central piece of their build, it may be time for the Heat, specifically, to get with the times.
Miami may be focused on the pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant this offseason, but I can’t help but wonder if it may be in the best interest of the Heat to start exploring other options. More specifically, should the Heat shift their offseason approach from targeting a veteran star wing to looking for a budding star in the backcourt that can carry an offense, distribute at a high level, take care of the basketball, and emerge as a closer when needed.It’s not just the Pacers and Haliburton that the Heat should be gaining influence from. If we look carefully, the argument can be made that this team-building shift is happening across the league.
Heat need a dominant guard to be successful
Even looking at the four teams that made it to the conference finals this season. Each of them had a ball-dominant star guard who helped take them there: Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), and Haliburton (Pacers). All across the league, many of the most successful teams have this one common variable.
As the Heat head into the offseason, it’s almost impossible for them not to notice what is taking place. There’s a shift happening in the league, and it’s valuable once again to have a ball-dominant guard who can take over a game.Some may say the Heat has that in Tyler Herro. However, there are still many holes in his game that prevent him from being in the same conversation as the names above. And if Herro can’t evolve further as a playmaker, or improve more driving to the basket and as a finisher, the Heat may have to have some drastic internal conversations about his future.
With the success that the Pacers have had this year, the Heat can’t help but reevaluate their offseason plans before it arrives. There’s still time to adjust. If Miami truly wants to get ahead of the curve, perhaps instead of adding a veteran star wing, they should try to identify the next young guard who is primed to break out and have the type of historic run Haliburton is on
I suppose there’s a world where that player can be Herro, but odds are that it isn’t. If the Heat wants to build in a way that the NBA game seems to be trending, their top priority this offseason should revolve around trying to find a star guard who would fit perfectly next to Bam. And probably not a superstar wing who would unanimously be considered past his prime
