Heat Rank: Where the 17 players rate on team’s 2020-21 hierarchy | Analysis
For all the depth of talent that carried the Miami Heat through the end of last season and will be counted upon during a season when a COVID-19 absence could arise at any time, two stand above the rest.
This is Jimmy Butler’s team, and Bam Adebayo’s team.
“When your franchise,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “is being led by two guys who have an absolute winning approach to everything, to practice, to preparation, to film sessions, and I’m talking about JB and Bam, and then they set the tone every single day for that, your group has a very clear image on how we need to follow them.”
So it’s Nos. 22 and 13 on your roster, but 1 and 1A in a Heat hierarchy that has evolved dramatically since last season.
A look at how the Heat will line up for Wednesday start of their season, in terms of importance to this season’s ultimate goal.
No. 22 Jimmy Butler
Ht.: 6-7. Age: 31.
Contract status: $34.4 million this season, with two additional seasons on contract (the second a player option).
Heat Rank: 1. Led by example, effort and efficiency last season, with the hope he picks up where he left off. It’s difficult to anticipate otherwise.
No. 13 Bam Adebayo
Ht.: 6-9. Age: 23.
Contract status: $5.1 million this season, with five-year extension to follow.
Heat Rank: 2. Arguably the team’s best player, with the approach revolving around him on both ends.
No. 14 Tyler Herro
Ht.: 6-5. Age: 20.
Contract status: $3.8 million this season, with two additional seasons on contract (the second a team option).
Heat Rank: 3. Nudged his way up to this level in the team’s hierarchy in the playoffs, with the hope now for more at that echelon.
No. 7 Goran Dragic
Ht.: 6-3. Age: 34.
Contract status: $18 million this season, with team option for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 4. Selfless enough to step aside to facilitate growth of others. Smart enough to step up when needed most.
No. 55 Duncan Robinson
Ht.: 6-7. Age: 26.
Contract status: $1.7 million this season, then restricted free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 5. Who a year ago thought he would be this essential? Who this season doesn’t believe his is?
No. 5 Precious Achiuwa
Ht.: 6-8. Age: 21.
Contract status: $2.6 million this season, with three additional seasons on contract (final two at team option).
Heat Rank: 6. Just a hunch here, but there is an opening for a breakout player at power forward, with the 2020 first-round pick possessing potential breakout skills.
No. 11 Avery Bradley
Ht.: 6-3. Age: 30.
Contract status: $5.6 million this season, with team option for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 7. On-ball defense has been lacking at the point, creating a need for what Bradley does best. The opportunity as a defensive closer will be there.
No. 28 Andre Iguodala
Ht.: 6-6. Age: 36.
Contract status: $15 million this season, with non-guaranteed contract for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 8. The contributions figure to be subtle but significant, potentially not fully needed until the playoffs.
No. 9 Kelly Olynyk
Ht.: 6-11. Age: 29.
Contract status: $12.6 million this season, then unrestricted free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 9. The instant-offense element off the bench annually produces enough moments to practically guarantee a several payoffs.
No. 4 KZ Okpala
Ht.: 6-8. Age: 21.
Contract status: $1.5 million this season, with team option for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 10. Almost annually there is a prospect who provides an unexpected breakthrough, with Okpala potentially that prospect this season.
No. 24 Kendrick Nunn
Ht.: 6-2. Age: 25.
Contract status: $1.7 million this season, then restricted free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 11. The top of his game has been missing for a while, and now there could be a playing-time crunch in the backcourt.
No. 8 Moe Harkless
Ht.: 6-7. Age: 27.
Contract status: $3.6 million this season, then unrestricted free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 12. More was expected in the preseason, so now the question is whether he gets shuffled lower in the rotation.
No. 31 Max Strus
Ht.: 6-4. Age: 24.
Contract status: $449,000 this season on two-way contract, then free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 13. Listed ahead of players on standard contracts because his scoring skills could lead to contributions when needed.
No. 0 Meyers Leonard
Ht.: 7-0. Age: 28.
Contract status: $9.4 million this season, with team option for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 14. This comes down to the limited minutes in the power rotation, unless the decision is to play big from the outset of games.
No. 2 Gabe Vincent
Ht.: 6-3. Age: 24.
Contract status: $449,000 this season on two-way contract, then free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 15. The 3-point shooting could come in handy, but first the knee has to get right.
No. 30 Chris Silva
Ht.: 6-8. Age: 24.
Contract status: $1.5 million this season, with team option for 2021-22.
Heat Rank: 16. Could be an odd man out on game nights if one of the two-way players are in uniform.
No. 40 Udonis Haslem
Ht.: 6-8. Age: 40.
Contract status: $2.6 million this season, then unrestricted free agent in offseason.
Heat Rank: 17. That’s rank among players, but arguably more influential on game nights than some coaches.
