After the Miami Heat were swept cold by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2021 NBA playoffs, they addressed their needs and went all-in this offseason.
Miami clearly has shooters in Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro but they often struggled to find separation and it resulted in chaos whenever shots are not falling. They needed another guy like Jimmy Butler who can create shots for himself and for his teammates as well and that's why they initiated a sign-and-trade deal that sent Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa to the Toronto Raptors for superstar Kyle Lowry.
Lowry, who is a six-time All-Star, will be expected to elevate the Heat’s offense with his efficient three-point shooting and will take some of the on-ball pressure off of Butler as a facilitator since he averaged over six assists in the last 11 seasons and is one of the league’s smartest players.
The Villanova product is a 3-level scorer who can get buckets whenever he wants. He can shoot the ball behind the arc and attack the basket with ease as he knows how to use his body to draw fouls. Miami also gets another closer alongside Butler in Kyle Lowry.
The Heat also immediately snatched P.J. Tucker, the veteran power forward who played a crucial role during this year's championship, from the Bucks. Miami also signed power forward Markieff Morris. Aside from all the free-agent signings, the Heat extended one of their own as they inked the sharpshooting Duncan Robinson to a multi-year contract.
Despite Kendrick Nunn leaving Miami for the Los Angeles Lakers, the fans can stay calm as Victor Oladipo was re-signed following his injury last May. It is a low-risk and low-reward move as Oladipo was just signed for the veteran's minimum.
With the Heat doing everything they can to maximize superstar Jimmy Butler's window, they have everything to lose this season since they need to win now as Lowry and Butler are not getting any younger anymore.
These are 3 way-too-early predictions for the Miami Heat in the upcoming 2021-22 season:
Prediction #3: Victor Oladipo contributes
Victor Oladipo is reportedly close to returning to the court following his season-ending injury last May. Oladipo is recovering nicely and is expected to be cleared for a return somewhere around November.
The two-time All-Star was a monster during his stint with the Indiana Pacers as he averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in his four seasons in Indianapolis. If Oladipo can somewhat replicate the form that he had, the Heat will be extremely difficult to beat as they will have three shot-creators in Oladipo, Lowry, and Butler.
Even if Oladipo can just get back to scoring 15 points a game, it will be huge for the Heat who clearly lacked the firepower to deliver a knockout punch to opponents last season.
Prediction #2: Another All-Star selection and All-NBA team for Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler missed the All-Star game last season despite averaging 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 7.1 assists, and 2.1 steals. This is due to the fact that he was inactive for a chunk of games for the Heat.
With Jimmy looking as healthy as ever, Butler will look to capture his sixth All-Star appearance.
Butler will also be aiming for his third straight All-NBA team selection.
Prediction #1: Heat clinch another NBA Finals appearance
With the signing of Lowry, the Heat immediately are championship contenders as he brings a ton of veteran leadership and championship experience. He averaged 16.2 points, 7.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in six games against the mighty Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. Lowry certainly knows what it takes to win a title and would help get the Heat over the hump.
Kyle Lowry can be a binding force and a guiding voice when the team goes through the ups and downs of the regular season and the Playoffs.
Despite the Brooklyn Nets being an offensive juggernaut with the three-headed hydra of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, The Heat also have a new big three in town with Lowry, Butler, and Bam Adebayo. Miami’s trio is built for defense as they can wreak havoc every night with their physicality and hounding defense. It will be exciting to see how these three will mesh together.
Barring any issues and injuries in this Miami Heat roster, together with Lowry’s skillset, drive to win, leadership, and toughness, are really serious contenders for the NBA championship next season.
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