The Miami Heat entered this season as the defending Eastern Conference champions.
People didn’t know if their run in the bubble was a fluke or not.
This season was to prove that they, in fact, belong with the elite.
However, things became complicated with injuries and COVID taking out key guys from the roster.
By the end of the season, the Heat were able to regroup and capture a playoff spot.
The expectations dwindled from Finals team to second-round team, but they were still going to be a tough opponent.
Their first-round matchup this season was the Milwaukee Bucks.
The same Bucks team that lost 4-1 to the Heat in the postseason last year.
Some media members believed that the Heat had the Bucks’ number, and would upset them once again.
Not only did the Bucks win the series, but they also swept the Heat.
BUCKS AVENGE LAST YEAR'S SECOND ROUND EXIT 😤
Milwaukee sweeps Miami and ends the Heat's season. pic.twitter.com/tWNh4GXmrt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 29, 2021
Now they enter this offseason with some uncertainty.
Do they blow the roster up?
Do they run it back?
Let’s look at both sides of the argument.
Blow It Up
The Heat need to focus on two players only: Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
After those two, blow everything up.
Their roster does not have the talent to compete against the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Players that were supposed to be their future have not performed.
Bubble superstar, Tyler Herro, took a big step back.
His performance in the playoffs was disappointing for a player with high expectations.
Tyler Herro in the bubble:
16.3 PPG
3.7 APG
45.2 FG%
37.6 3P%Tyler Herro this playoffs:
7.7 PPG
1.7 AST
28.0 FG%
33.3 3P% pic.twitter.com/5XXBeBUMQF— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 28, 2021
They wanted to acquire an All-Star caliber player by the trade deadline this season.
Victor Oladipo on paper was going to fulfill that desire.
However, he was not the same and eventually got hurt, which led to him missing the rest of the season.
Guards, such as Goran Dragic and Kendrick Nunn, are not going to be able to compete against a Kyrie Irving or Ben Simmons.
Trevor Ariza is not a starting-caliber player in this league anymore.
Andre Iguodala might also be done in the NBA.
The Heat need to find players that can bring them back to glory.
This wouldn’t be a rebuild, but a recalibration of the roster.
No, The Heat Will Be Back
The Heat do not need to blow everything up.
A few tweaks will obviously be beneficial.
However, it is good to be patient.
Herro and Bam are both very young.
Butler wants to be with the Heat for the remainder of his career.
They can easily be back within a year or two.
Their cap space should be fine once they let some players go.
The Heat can be on the hunt for players like Kyle Lowry or Mike Conley.
A simple tweaking of the roster will suffice.
There is no need to panic.
It was a hard season for them, while other teams got better.
The Bucks were the better team all season long and they proved it.
The Heat have the ability to come back better.
One season should not ruin a team that was in the NBA Finals a year prior.
NEXT: Is Jimmy Butler Overrated? (Full Argument)