![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/IMG_1089-1024x571.jpeg\")
(Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n(Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
With free agency nearly three weeks old, the bulk of the 2026 Miami Heat offseason has officially concluded. However, there is still work left to do for the Heat, who have three open roster spots (two of which are expected to be used).<\/p>\n
As the Heat move forward with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the fold\u2014and LeBron James now headed to Philadelphia\u2014what are the biggest questions still left for Miami to answer?<\/p>\n
The NBA offseason isn\u2019t just about blockbuster trades and free agency. Fans often spend the quieter parts of the summer exploring different forms of sports entertainment, and those curious about sweepstakes gaming can compare PA sweepstakes casinos<\/a>, available promotions and how these platforms differ from traditional online casinos.<\/p>\n 1. How will they pivot after missing out on LeBron James?<\/p>\n Skinny:\u00a0Miami landed its biggest offseason target in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but its pursuit of another major name ended when LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n James would have brought another experienced ballhandler, high-level passer and dependable half-court creator to a roster that remains short on each outside of Davion Mitchell. Even at 41, his ability to organize an offense and create advantages would have made him a natural complement to Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.<\/p>\n Now the Heat must determine whether those responsibilities can be addressed collectively or whether another move is necessary.<\/p>\n Miami does not need to find another player of James\u2019 caliber\u2014there obviously isn\u2019t one sitting on the open market\u2014but it could still use another guard or wing capable of initiating offense, settling possessions and creating shots late in the clock. The Heat could use one of their remaining roster spots on a veteran free agent, explore the trade market or enter training camp expecting Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins and Nikola Jovic to assume larger playmaking roles.<\/p>\n Antetokounmpo immediately raises Miami\u2019s ceiling in the Eastern Conference. But missing out on James leaves the Heat with an important question: Do they have enough creation around their new superstar duo, or is there still one more meaningful move to make?<\/p>\n 2. Can they find at least one more floor spacer?<\/p>\n Skinny: Miami finished just outside the top-10 in 3-point percentage for the third consecutive season last year. However, their 3-point attempt rate (3PAr) dropped from No. 12 to 18, while their per-possession attempt rate dropped from No. 16 to 18.<\/p>\n Now, after the Antetokounmpo trade, it is faced with replacing four of its best long-range shooters in Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Kel\u2019el Ware and Kasparas Jakucionis.<\/p>\n Re-signing Simone Fontecchio, extending Andrew Wiggins, drafting Ryan Conwell and acquiring both Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. is a good start. Though Wiggins, Portis and Hardaway are all coming off career seasons. <\/p>\n Portis\u2019 45.6 3-point percentage from a year ago is unsustainable; he shot 39.2 percent over his previous six seasons on low volume, which is respectable, but makes his aforementioned 45.6 percent look more like an aberration than anything close to the norm. Neither Wiggins nor Hardaway ever eclipsed 40-plus percent from deep before last year.<\/p>\n Can Miami find one more quality 3-point shooter to provide the requisite space around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo? With James no longer available, finding another dependable shooter may be the biggest roster question that remains.<\/p>\n 3. Will they get a bounce-back season from Nikola Jovic?<\/p>\n Skinny: This won\u2019t be a question that\u2019s answered until the season starts. But it\u2019s still one that looms.<\/p>\n The 2025-26 season was a catastrophic one for Jovic. The recently-turned 23-year-old averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds on a mere 36.6 percent shooting from the floor. To contextualize, Jovic shot 38.3 percent from 3-point range over his previous two seasons \u2014 highlighting how inefficient of a season it was for the fourth-year pro.<\/p>\n Development isn\u2019t linear. Jovic is beginning the first year of a four-year, $62.4 million extension he signed last offseason. The unique playmaker has improved light years as a defender, but Miami was playing 4-on-5 offensively with him on the floor. Should he rehabilitate some of his value in 2026-27, he becomes one of their more attractive playmakers, as well as one of their most scalable wings off the bench.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t