Competition for Starting Spots Begin

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As the Miami Heat continue their training camp, there are only three spots in the starting lineup filled. Those three spots belong to Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Jimmy Butler. The other two spots are open for competition and will be filled through training camp. Players like Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Tyler Herro, and Victor Oladipo are competing for the guard spot alongside Lowry. As for the power forward spot, Caleb Martin seems to be the frontrunner, but Robinson has also spent minutes there before. And let’s not forget Haywood Highsmith and Omer Yurtseven as well.

Replacing P.J. Tucker

Finding P.J. Tucker‘s replacement at the power forward spot remains the biggest task. Tucker was a key piece in the Heat’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately, he signed a three-year deal with Philadelphia 76ers this past summer. Additionally, the Heat didn’t offer the full mid-level exception because of their pursuit for Kevin Durant, who ended up staying with the Brooklyn Nets. Moreover, Miami also hasn’t had luck pursuing a replacement through trade or free agency. Phoenix Suns‘ Jae Crowder—who Tucker replaced last season—wants a trade and Miami is a possible destination. But for now, Martin seems to have the inside track on the position.

Guard Competition

The stiffest competition will be the starting guard spot. Miami has plenty of guards on the roster with different specialties. Robinson and Strus are the elite shooters of the team. Herro is the best three-level scorer on the roster and has good pick-and-roll chemistry with Adebayo. Oladipo is a former all-star who’s working to regain his form. Now, he’s healthy and has publicly expressed his desire to prove doubters wrong. Whoever starts will have to be ready to adjust to not having the basketball as much in the starting lineup. Strus and Robinson have shown they don’t need the ball as much out of all the guards.

Although Miami’s roster is largely intact, there’s still questions that remains to be answered during this training camp. Will Miami go small with Martin at the power forward spot? Or will they go big with Yurtseven? Who is the best option at shooting guard? In the end, it’s going to be interesting to see which direction the Heat goes with its starting lineup. The NBA regular season doesn’t start until late October so there’s still time.