Training camp starts today at FAU with a Miami Heat roster that looks much different from last season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is here, along with several other offseason additions. Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis are not. With Giannis now at the center of it all, Miami is looking to get back into title contention.
Erik Spoelstra spoke about his new star on Monday.
“We brought him here for a reason,” Spoelstra said of Giannis. “We want him to establish himself in that conversation of best player in the league.”
1. Bam and Giannis Chemistry
Defense should be fine. Giannis is a former Defensive Player of the Year. Bam Adebayo has six All-Defensive selections. That end of the floor is not the issue. Offense is where we’ll learn how the two fit together. We have seen Bam be a playmaker from the elbows, and that can open driving lanes for Giannis. Both can make plays with the ball, so Spo has options for how to use them together without crowding the paint. Transition could be where this pairing is at its best. Giannis is still one of the best in the open floor, and that downhill pressure is something Miami has not had since LeBron.
Bam has also taken more threes. He went from 2.8 attempts at 35.7% in 2024-25 to 5.5 attempts at 31.8% last season. He does not have to become a knockdown shooter. He just has to keep the defense honest. That’s why Miami added Klay, Hardaway and Fontecchio around the two bigs.
Giannis already sounded sold. “He doesn’t take days off. I know he didn’t take any days off against me.” Now we see if there’s room for both.
2. Shooting Guard Battle
Mitchell, Wiggins, Giannis and Bam are locked as starters. The shooting guard position could be open. Klay is the obvious answer if Spo wants another shooter next to the two bigs. He shot 38.3 percent from three last year in Dallas and still has to be guarded 25 feet from the rim. He’s not 2016 Klay but he doesn’t have to be. Hardaway and Larsson are the other options if Spo wants a different look. Hardaway gives Miami shooting with a little more shot creation. If Spo wants more defensive versatility he could go with Larsson.
3. Where does Jović fit?
The majority of the Heat’s young pieces were sent to Milwaukee in the Giannis trade. What’s left is Ryan Conwell at 22, Nikola Jović at 23, then Myron Gardner and Larsson at 25. Larsson is already locked in a rotation spot with Miami very excited about his development going forward. He recently signed an extension and has impressed Giannis so far with the star calling him “f—ing good.”
The question is where Jović stands. He has a long-term deal and is coming off a disappointing season. Bam and Giannis are going to spend plenty of time in the paint. Portis is another four/five who can shoot, while Richards gives Miami another option at center.
With Giannis and Bam needing space to operate, Jović has to be a consistent threat from three and make quick decisions when Giannis attacks. Jović’s role going forward will be worth watching. Camp should give us a better idea of how he fits with this new Miami roster.
4. Does Nick Richards make the opening-night roster?
Nick Richards arrives in camp on a non-guaranteed deal that becomes guaranteed if he remains on the roster by opening night. Miami has Bam and Portis, Giannis can play the five, and Goldin is on a two-way. Richards provides another big option for Miami in their frontcourt. If he rebounds, protects the rim and gives Miami solid minutes at center, there’s a reason to keep him. But if Spo is comfortable going with Portis, Giannis or smaller lineups at the five, that roster spot could be used somewhere else.
5. Two-way Contract Battle
Tre Donaldson, Vlad Goldin and Keshad Johnson have the spots today. That doesn’t mean they’re locked in. Lester Quinones, J’Vonne Hadley, Bez Mbeng, Ian Schieffelin and Ezra Ausar will all have a chance to make their case. Miami has changed its two-way spots before. On a roster this expensive up top, finding cheap contributors at the bottom matters.
Training Camp ends on Oct. 2. Then five preseason games: Toronto in Quebec City, New Orleans, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Orlando. Opening night is Oct. 21 against Minnesota.
