MIAMI — In the end, it was an imperfect season from an imperfect roster.
One one hand, a net gain of six victories from the previous season. On the other hand, a net loss to the tune of the franchise’s earliest finish in seven seasons.
It was a Miami Heat season that has to be graded on a curve, considering the injuries, the absences, a defense that at first was sublime and then subpar, and then a closing night that still is hard to be believed.
Ultimately, a season so taxing that it was over before tax day.
So how did it grade out? Here’s how:
Bam Adebayo, A-: A case could be made for even a higher grade, but the reality is that this is a roster lacking in A-grade talent, which ultimately left the Heat as a run-of-the-mill pretender.
On one side of the ball the play was at the level of All-Defensive. On the other side of the ball, there was the development of a 3-point game and the ability to adjust to an offensive style that did not play to his pick-and-roll strengths.
A few more wins and the grade would have been higher. But there weren’t a few more wins, including none in the postseason for the first time in his career.
Age: Turns 29 on July 18.
Contract status: About to begin a three-year extension that will pay $49.5 million next season.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., B+: Again this is a matter of grading on a curve. And that is exactly what the season proved to be for the third-year forward, a growth curve after a miserable sophomore season.
During a season that at times went sideways and south for the Heat, Jaquez consistently was there to boost the bench, including creating even more hope going forward with a late-season 3-point upgrade.
Age: Turned 25 on Feb. 18.
Contract status: Due $3.9 million next season on rookie-scale contract but extension eligible this summer, perhaps in the four-year, $100 million range.
Pelle Larsson, B+: While it was back to the bench in the play-in game, the 2024 second-round pick showed the type of gains that will have him again in consideration for a starting role.
What Larsson, with his defensive grit and attacking style on offense, proved to be was the ultimate connector, with the ability to make good lineups even better.
Age: Turned 25 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Heat hold $2.3 million team option for next season, with Larsson eligible for a four-year, $92.8 million extension.
Andrew Wiggins, B+: The scoring was uneven, but the shooting mostly was there, arguably the second-best two-way player on the roster behind Adebayo.
The question is whether a roster lacking in star talent can afford a player who best fits on a talented roster.
Age: Turned 31 on Feb. 23.
Contract status: Holds a $30.2 million player option that must be exercised by June 29. Also eligible for a four-year, $177 million extension through June 30.
Davion Mitchell, B: Did what was asked, did it well, did it on both ends, and was among the most reliable presences on the roster.
While that might grade out as merely average to some, on this roster this season, there was something to be said about reliability.
Age: Turns 28 on Sept. 5.
Contract status: Due $12.4 million next season on second and final year of contract.
Kel’el Ware, B: At times, the second-year 7-footer was an elite-level talent, energetic and enthusiastic. And at other times, nothing close.
But considering the way he was yo-yoed between roles, the upside more often than not came through when allowed. Next up? The need for even more.
Age: Turns 21 on Monday.
Contract status: Due $4.7 million next season on third year of rookie-scale contract.
Tyler Herro, B-: The play and productivity was at a higher level than such a grade, still one of the league’s top offensive threats. But there is no dancing around the fact that there were only 33 regular-season appearances.
The most important ability for Herro to re-establish is reliability.
Age: Turned 26 on Jan. 26.
Contract status: Due $33 million next season on final year of contract. Eligible starting the day after the NBA Finals for a four-year, $207 million extension.
Norman Powell, B-: Similar to Herro, although not to such a degree of absence, Powell simply wasn’t available enough to provide the needed level of consistency. And when he was available during the second half of the season, he often wasn’t good enough.
The trend was for something much better as he worked his way at midseason to an All-Star berth. The question now is how much is still there.
Age: Turns 33 on May 25.
Contract status: Will become a free agent on July 1. Prior to that, remains eligible for a four-year, $128.5 million extension through July 30.
Kasparas Jakucionis, C+: In a season when most of the seasoning was expected to come in the G League, the No. 20 pick in last year’s draft showed immediate NBA-level skills with his playmaking and shooting.
While there still is more to be unlocked, the possibility of emerging as the Heat’s starting point guard of the future is not a stretch.
Age: Turns 20 on May 29.
Contract status: Due $3.8 million next season on second year of rookie-scale contract.
Simone Fontecchio, C-: The 3-point specialist mostly did as asked when asked, albeit amid an uneven ride.
There is something to be said for his positional size in such a shooting role, but the reality is he found his way to the roster as a means of the Heat getting off of Duncan Robinson’s contract.
Age: Turned 30 on Dec. 9.
Contract status: An impending unrestricted free agent.
Myron Gardner, C-: Proved feisty enough to be upgraded to a standard contract at midseason, but hardly a polished product.
Age: Turns 25 on May 21.
Contract status: Due $2.6 million next season on a non-guaranteed contract.
Dru Smith, C: Produced when needed, as floor leader on offense and pest on defense. To that end, met his mandate as a third-string point guard. And this time mostly stayed healthy.
Age: Turned 28 on Dec. 30.
Contract status: Due $2.6 million next season on a non-guaranteed contract.
Keshad Johnson, D: Showed flashes with athleticism and shooting when given opportunity, but remains a back-end-of-the-roster component.
Age: Turns 25 on June 23.
Contract status: Becomes restricted free agent on July 1 if extended a $2.6 million qualifying offer, otherwise becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Nikola Jovic, F: Between the injuries and inability to find his way in the team’s new offense, simply a lost season, with zero trust from the staff by season’s end and seemingly little self-confidence.
Age: Turns 23 on June 9.
Contract status: Due $16.2 million next season at the start of four-year, $62.4 million extension.
Two-way players, Incomplete: While Jahmir Young was converted to a standard deal the final weekend of the season, he and two-way players Vlad Goldin and Trevor Keels spent most of the season in the G League, with no guarantee that any of the three will be back.