MIAMI — Considering 40% of the starting lineup is new, as is 50% of the primary rotation, Erik Spoelstra said it is not as if he can afford to take a halfway approach to the Miami Heat’s five-game preseason schedule.

So, yes, the Heat coach said, more of the regulars in Thursday night’s preseason home opener against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center.

Such is part of the process of integrating Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson, Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. into the mix.

“We have a plan for tomorrow and we’ll continue to build that as the preseason goes,” Spoelstra said after Wednesday’s practice at Kaseya Center. “I have a loose plan right now, depending on the practices and the availability of everybody. But I like the progress the group is making so far.”

But no, it does not guarantee all will play all exhibitions.

“That would be doubtful, but we know we have some work to do,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat’s preseason schedule continuing Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, next Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets and then concluding Oct. 16 on the road against the Orlando Magic. The Heat opened their preseason schedule with Saturday’s 129-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

As far as what comes next, that is where it could get interesting, with the Heat also to open their regular-season schedule against the Timberwolves on Oct. 21 at Kaseya Center.

“I don’t know. I’m not even that far ahead right now,” Spoelstra said. “I’m just focusing on tomorrow. A lot of our guys will play tomorrow and want to get something out of it, not going to play huge minutes, but want to get those game reps.

“Guys are in great shape right now and still it’s different than getting out there and competing in an NBA game.”

Most of Spoelstra’s primary options should be available against the Pelicans. Andrew Wiggins, who missed Tuesday night’s intrasquad scrimmage due to illness, was back on the practice court Wednesday. Out for the practice session was Pelle Larsson, who also missed the scrimmage due to illness.

In addition, Keshad Johnson, who sustained a hamstring injury during last week’s training camp at Florida Atlantic University, did some light work Wednesday, while Dru Smith, who is out with a calf injury, remained sidelined.

Spoelstra said with the majority of newcomers being polished veterans, it has eased the acclimation process.

“I commend the group, especially the new guys, for being open-minded,” he said. “Things might be a little bit different, but it’s not as different as people make it sound to be. They have enough things that are what they’re used to. We have to move quickly. It helps having veteran players pick up things pretty fast.”

The end game

Spoelstra acknowledged that the most difficult element in assessing with a revised roster is how it comes together in clutch time. But he also said this is not a time to get bogged down in end-game planning.

“No, we’re going to try to keep it simple and have a lot of clarity,” he said. “Hopefully, it leads to some confidence when the pressure is on. There’s no way to prepare for it, fast-track it, have the best plan that never goes according to plan. We just got to go through it.

“We’ll see what those games are like and how many of them are clutch games and how many of them aren’t. Either way, we’ve got to try to find solutions to try to win.”

Coaching respect

Thursday night’s matchup comes against a coach who went undefeated last season against the Heat.

Despite that 5-0 record against Spoelstra’s team in 2025-26, Jamahl Mosley was dismissed as Orlando Magic coach at the end of last season, but has since been named to take over in New Orleans. He was replaced in Orlando by San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Sean Sweeney.

To Spoelstra, it was a matter of another opponent giving up too soon on a coaching peer.

“We have a lot of respect for what Mose did in Orlando,” Spoelstra said. “That’s not easy to do. He should get a lot of credit for establishing a culture there, a defensive mindset for the organization. And they got better every single year. That’s what you’re looking for out of an organization. Not to take away anything from the change they’ve made, which they’re all excited about, but it felt like Mose had established something there enough to keep on going. That’s the nature of this league.

“He landed on his feet in a situation that I think is similar to where Orlando was before. So he knows what type of blueprint to put together. I think he’ll do a great job there.”