Grading the 2020-21 Miami Heat: Report card for all 17 players
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After a 2019-20 season to remember, there was something considerably less from the Miami Heat this time around, including a postseason to forget, the only playoff team to fail to win at least one game.
That doesn’t mean it was all bad, or that there was a lack of fight.
But it was a season that opened eyes to the Heat’s lack of size and athleticism, as well as a roster getting up in years.
The grades reflect as much.
Two clearly remain at the head of the class.
But beyond that, there is significant question about where the rest of this is headed, requiring a degree of future thought, as well.
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Jimmy Butler
Age: Turns 32 on Sept. 14.
Contracts status: Earned $34.4 million in 2020-21. Will earn $36 million in 2021-22, on a contract that expires in 2022-23, with that season a player option. Is extension eligible this offseason.
Grade: A. If this solely was about the playoffs, then the grade would be in the range of a C. But that was about four games, not the 52 regular-season games in which he performed at All-NBA and All-Defensive level.
Future thought: Butler is a franchise mainstay. He is not going anywhere.
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Bam Adebayo
Age: Turns 24 on July 18.
Contract status: Earned $5.1 million in 2020-21. Five-year contract extension begins next season, at $28.1 million for 2021-22.
Grade: B +. Like Butler, Adebayo had a season worthy of All-NBA and All-Defensive consideration. The difference is that Adebayo was not able to singularly lift the Heat nearly as often as Butler, as offensive limitations surfaced.
Future thought: Like Butler, a franchise mainstay. Unlike Butler, he’s not nearly a finished product.
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Duncan Robinson
Age: Turned 27 on April 22.
Contract status: Earned $1.7 million in 2020-21. Becomes restricted free agent on Aug. 2, with Heat able to match outside offers.
Grade: B. Not only finished fourth in NBA in 3-pointers converted, but did it at 40.8 percent. Basically met his mandate and exceeded it by adding to offensive menu.
Future thought: It’s all about the price point, with $15 million per season a logical cutoff point.
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Age: Turned 35 on May 6.
Contract status: Earned $18 million in 2020-21. Heat hold $19.4 million team option for 2021-22 that must be exercised by Aug. 1 or Dragic becomes unrestricted free agent, eligible to be re-signed by Heat.
Grade: B. Seamlessly returned to bench role and ably served as the anchor of the second unit. Although not quite his 2020 playoff self, still an able contributor.
Future thought: The logical approach would be bypassing the team option and then coming back at a lesser 2021-22 starting point.
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Age: Turns 26 on Aug. 3.
Contract status: Earned $1.7 million in 2020-21. Becomes restricted free agent on Aug. 2, with Heat able to match outside offers.
Grade: B. Showed the ability to consistently provide offense from all three levels, with attack, mid-rage and 3-point game. Filled role ably and as asked.
Future thought: As with Robinson, it’s all about the price point. But in this case, the money might have to be closer to mid-level for an undersized shooting guard.
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Dewayne Dedmon
Age: Turns 32 on Aug. 12
Contract status: Earned $580,000 for balance of season after he was signed April 8. Becomes unrestricted free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: B-. Did everything asked in limited role, with Erik Spoelstra reluctant to play centers in tandem.
Future thought: His effort, energy, size and strength are worth keeping. But is another 32-year-old the answer?
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Age: Turned 21 on Jan. 21.
Contract status: Earned $3.8 million in 2020-21. Will earn $4 million in 2021-22, with Heat holding team option for 2022-23.
Grade: C+. The sparks were there, but never anything close to the consistency of the 2020 playoffs. And the defense remains a major limitation.
Future thought: Arguably the Heat’s most logical trade chip. What happens with rest of backcourt could determine future with team.
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Trevor Ariza
Age: Turns 36 on June 30.
Contract status: Earned $12.8 million in 2020-21. Becomes unrestricted free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: C+. Added plenty before uneven playoff run against the Bucks. Helped space floor, but left Heat undersized in power rotation.
Future thought: As with Dedmon, how many 30-plus reserves can you bring back?
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Andre Iguodala
Age: Turned 37 on Jan. 28.
Contract status: Earned $15 million in 2020-21. Heat hold $15 million team option for 2021-22 that must be exercised by Aug. 1 or Iguodala becomes unrestricted free agent, eligible to be re-signed by Heat.
Grade: C+. Steady but not spectacular, so basically as advertised. It was a season that was going to be defined by playoffs, of which there was precious little for the Heat.
Future thought: The option year was added for the Heat to possibly utilize in a trade. Otherwise, the end of the road with the Heat appears at hand. A Warriors’ reunion to follow?
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Precious Achiuwa
Age: Turns 22 on Sept. 19.
Contract status: Earned $2.6 million in 2020-21. Will earn $2.7 million in 2021-22, with Heat holding team options for following two seasons.
Grade: C. The first half of the season was promising, then the limitations were exposed. Dedmon simply became a more reliable backup presence at center.
Future thought: Summer school is essential, and yet could wind up as a trade chip.
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Max Strus
Age: Turned 25 on March 28.
Contract status: On two-way contract in 2020-21. Becomes free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: C-. Made shots, but limited in other aspects, as well as limited in playing time.
Future thought: Could be impacted by Robinson’s free agency, should Heat seek another shooter to develop.
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Gabe Vincent
Age: Turns 25 on June 14.
Contract status: On two-way contract in 2020-21. Becomes free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: C-. Actually emerged as a defensive presence, but not matched his shooting resume.
Future thought: Heat may look to kick tires on another two-way prospect instead.
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KZ Okpala
Age: Turned 22 on April 28.
Contract status: Earned $1.5 million in 2020-21. Will earn $1.8 million in 2021-22 on final year of contract.
Grade: C-. The offensive game is raw, with overall consistency lacking, but there is a defensive edge.
Future thought: Make-or-break time is approaching, with a strong summer program essential.
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Nemanja Bjelica
Age: Turned 33 on May 9.
Contract status: Earned $7.2 million in 2020-21. Becomes free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: D. Never quite met the mandate of power-rotation floor spacer. Then again, never got much of an opportunity.
Future thought: Again, how many 30-something reserves can you bring back?
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Udonis Haslem
Age: Turns 41 on June 9.
Contract status: Earned $2.6 million in 2020-21. Becomes free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: 2:40. The total playing time he received in his lone appearance of the season.
Future thought: There is no indication the Heat will deny another season should Haslem choose to return.
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Victor Oladipo
Age: Turned 29 on May 4.
Contract status: Earned $21 million in 2020-21. Becomes free agent on Aug. 2.
Grade: Incomplete. There were four intriguing appearances and then season-ending quadriceps surgery. Even more of an unknown quantity now than when he arrived at March 25 trade deadline
Future thought: This will be relatively simple if Oladipo agrees to a token one-year show-me deal. Otherwise, the risk likely would be too great.
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Omer Yurtseven
Age: Turns 23 on June 19.
Contract status: Earned $18,000 in 2020-21. Heat hold $1.5 million option for 2021-22.
Grade: Incomplete. Never even put on a uniform after being signed final week of season. An accounting aspect at this stage.
Future thought: Heat could potentially utilize salary to balance trade around the NBA draft.
