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The Miami Heat enter free agency with more questions to answer. (Photo by Patrick McDermott\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nThe Miami Heat enter free agency with more questions to answer. (Photo by Patrick McDermott\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
After acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, the next few weeks will be quite important for the Miami Heat.<\/p>\n
With nearly 24 hours until the start of free agency, they enter with presumably 10 players rostered, including rookie Ryan Conwell, who hasn\u2019t officially signed his new deal yet. <\/p>\n
With less than $20 million to work with, given that the Heat will be hard-capped below the first apron, what are their three biggest needs? Let\u2019s examine!<\/p>\n
Neither Adebayo, who shot just 31.8 percent from 3-point range last year, nor Antetokounmpo are natural floor spacers, even though both have been willing to let it fly from deep. Despite shooting a career-best 41.4 percent from distance, Andrew Wiggins doesn\u2019t generate much gravity. <\/p>\n
Davion Mitchell and Bobby Portis are the only other two players on the Heat roster who netted at least 33.0 percent from deep last year (min. 100 3PA). Over time, I think Pelle Larsson will rise to a league-average clip, and I think Myron Gardner will maintain good efficiency on more volume. I\u2019m also a believer in both Nikola Jovic and Dru Smith positively regressing back to the mean.<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t solve the issue, though. That\u2019s a lot of if\u2019s instead of certainties around their new-look frontcourt.<\/p>\n
Reliable ballhandling and shot creation:<\/p>\n
As much as Davion Mitchell\u2019s improved as a passer and playmaker, Miami\u2019s offense still lacked consistent guard play a year ago \u2014 even though it was improved from years past.<\/p>\n
Now, without Kasparas Jakucionis, whose on-ball reps last year were sparse, Mitchell is the second-most reliable ballhandler behind Antetokounmpo. Larsson, Smith and Adebayo are also capable ballhandlers. But Smith isn\u2019t a good table-setter, Larsson is more of a secondary ballhandler and the more the Heat lessen off Adebayo\u2019s load, the better (in the short and long-term).<\/p>\n
As a result, more of an onus will be on Andrew Wiggins, another poor self-creator, and Jovic, whose ballhandling has plateaued. Thus, the Heat desperately need more ballhandling and, more importantly, shot creation. You can\u2019t have enough of either, especially as Antetokounmpo insurance.<\/p>\n
More size in the frontcourt:<\/p>\n
Bobby Portis is a great start. In a limited bench role, the 11-year veteran will provided a much-needed boost behind Adebayo now that Kel\u2019el Ware is no longer in town.<\/p>\n
But the Heat will still need more size \u2014 preferably size can stretch the floor, such as Jock Landale or Sandro Mamukelashvili. Although the latter may be out of the Heat\u2019s price range with their limited flexibility post-Wiggins extension. <\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the league is sizing up. Miami hasn\u2019t operated with much functional size the last several seasons. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo and Portis aren\u2019t bad options, but more will be required to get over the mountaintop.<\/p>\n
What do you think the Miami Heat\u2019s biggest needs are? Let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n
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