While the Miami Heat have made six straight playoff appearances, they have won an average of 44 games during this stretch. The Heat are coming off their worst season since missing the playoffs in 2018-19. The Heat had a relatively quiet offseason, choosing to build around the edges rather than a splashy move like the Jimmy Butler trade deadline deal. As a result, expectations are low for the upcoming season.
Miami Heat Training Camp Notes: Who Will Replace Tyler Herro In the Lineup? Positional Battles, Strengths and Weaknesses, Expectations & Trade Candidates
Miami is projected to make the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament for a fourth straight season, finishing with between 39 and 44 victories. The Heat are just 127-119 in the regular season over the last three seasons and 1-8 in their previous two playoff series, getting swept last year by Cleveland. They won’t have Tyler Herro to start the season as he underwent surgery a few weeks ago.
“I’ll be back in the next eight to 12 weeks,” Herro told Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel on Monday. “Should be a full recovery. Currently, I’m ahead of schedule regarding the swelling. I should get the stitches out in the next week.”
But Herro added he is trying to return sooner.
“I told Spo [Erik Spoelestra] I’ll be back in six weeks, so we’ll see,” he said, playing both sides of the sooner-or-later card. “We’ll see what they let me do. But I’m doing everything I can, icing it five times a day. I’m doing everything I can to get back on the court and be available.
Losing Herro for any amount of time is a massive hurdle for the Heat. Herro is the Heat’s best shooter and is coming off a career season and his first all-star appearance. The Heat lost all five games that the 25-year-old missed last season. They were minus-8.6 points per 100 possessions when Herro was off the court last season and went 12-21 to close the season.
Last year, Miami was the seventh-lowest scoring team and ranked in the bottom third of the league in overall offensive efficiency. The Heat weren’t a good shooting team last year, as Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo were the only players to shoot over 48% from the field and appear in at least 60 games. The Heat also struggled to get to the free-throw line, had difficulty on the offensive boards, and found it challenging to close out games. They blew 22 double-digit leads last season and went 14-28 in clutch situations (games within 5 points in the final 5 minutes)
How Will The Heat Replace Tyler Herro?
It will be hard for the Heat to replace Herro. Norman Powell is an elite scorer, averaging 21 points in each of the last two seasons. Andrew Wiggins, who saw a slight uptick in production after being acquired from Golden State, and Adebayo are capable scorers themselves.
Herro is best suited off the ball, but he has developed as a playmaker over the last several years. He was slated to transition to point guard full-time this season.
With Herro’s 6-week timeline, he won’t be back until the first week of November. That means he will miss a minimum of 10 games, with the more likely scenario being that he will be out until the end of the 11th month.
Contenders To Take Over Point Guard Spot
Miami figures to turn the offense over to either Davion Mitchell or Terry Rozier. So, it is a training camp battle to watch.
Mitchell is a pure point guard who is an elite perimeter defender and a solid playmaker. While not a great scorer, he is at his best when he gets into the lane.
Rozier is a scoring point guard who struggled mightily last year with the Heat. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists with a shooting line of 39.1/29.5/85.2. The Heat were 27-37, and in the 64 games that Rozier played, including 10-13 in the games with a -1.0 scoring margin, he started.
Dru Smith Recovery
Dru Smith has battled injuries throughout his career. But the Heat apparently really likes the 27-year-old as they signed him to a three-year deal this offseason.
Smith isn’t in the conversation to start for the Heat. However, he could see an increase in time with Herro sidelined. He has reportedly impressed the Heat’s coaching staff since being cleared for full-time basketball activities a few weeks ago.
“What he has is a superpower. I wish you could take some of that and just apply it to other players,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about Smith’s participation in practice Tuesday, less than a year after tearing his Achilles. “When I say superpower or superpowers, it’s a level of grit, it’s a level of fortitude, perseverance. However, you want to describe it, he has no quit in him.”
“He’s just absolutely relentless with his approach every day,” Spoelstra continued in his praise for Smith. “He does not get discouraged. I’m sure he does, but he just never shows anybody. But that’s an attitude, that’s a mindset. That has allowed him to fast-track the process. We want to be mindful of that. I don’t want to fast track it, in terms of where he is right now. I want to keep making sure that he’s progressing these next few weeks.”
Other Training Camp Competitions to Watch
1. Kel’el Ware vs Nikola Jovic – Fifth Starter Spot
This is an exciting competition. Ware had a strong first season, earning a second-team All-Rookie team selection. He averaged a double-double in his 36 starts and was effective alongside Adebayo. Additionally, he is an outstanding rebounder and finisher at the rim.
Nicola Jovic has improved in each of his three NBA seasons and has starting experience. Jovic, who averaged 12.5 points on 60% shooting for Serbia in the 2025 EuroBasket, is a floor spacing and playmaking forward.
Jovic definitely has a fan in Herro.
“I’m really excited to play with Niko and see how he rises his game; I expect him to have a tremendous season,” Herro said on Monday, praising Jović’s versatility to handle the ball, score, pass, and push the pace.
Prediction: Both Ware and Jovic will have significant roles with the Heat this year. Expect Spoelstra to let the entire preseason play out before making a decision.
2. Jaime Jaquez Jr vs Pelle Larsson – Wing Rotation
Jaime Jaquez Jr. took a step back last year after a strong rookie campaign. Jaquez is known for his athleticism, versatility, and all-around game on both ends of the floor. However, he hasn’t developed a perimeter game.
Pelle Larsson showed improvement in the second half of his rookie campaign. Larsson averaged 6.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with shooting splits of 42.3/33.3/67.9 over the last half of the season. He played exceptionally well in the G League and for his native Sweden during the 2025 EuroBasket.
Prediction: Jaquez has the slight edge here due to his two-way ability. However, Jaquez must show he can knock down some perimeter jumpers. If his perimeter shooting hasn’t improved, Larsson could earn more playing time if he shows he can score against top-level competition. Larsson also needs to improve as a 3-point shooter.
3. 15th-man
It was assumed that the Heat would only carry 14 players on standard contracts after “giving” Haywood Highsmith away in trade to Brooklyn. The Heat are just $1.8 million below the luxury tax, but they could carry 15 players and wait to see how the season unfolds to determine whether they want to remain over the threshold for the remainder of the season. Teams have until the NBA trade deadline to get under the tax theoretically.
Miami inked Precious Achiuwa on September 25, and it was assumed he would take the 15th spot. However, Achiuwa signed a nonguaranteed training camp job. So, he will have to earn the spot. He is an outstanding rebounder and strong post defender who can block shots.
“It was a pretty easy decision because of how well this organization represents the type of player that I am,” Achiuwa said about signing with Miami. I also took into account the high competitive level of Spo. I want to forge myself around that.”
Prediction: If Miami decides to carry 15 players this season, which they may do at least initially with Herro’s injury, Achiuwa will likely secure the spot unless he performs poorly.
4. Last 2-Way Spot
Miami has filled two of its three two-way spots. Myron Gardner and Vlad Goldin are the two players on minor league deals. Trevor Keels, Jahmir Young, Ethan Thompson, and Dain Dainja are likely competing for the final two-way spot. All four players are on Exhibit 10 deals. However, the Heat may go outside the organization to fill their final two-way spot.
Keels is a 6-3 combo guard coming off his best G-League season with the Iowa Wolves. Keels, who appeared in three games during the 2022-23 campaign, played for Detroit this past summer. The former second-round pick’s best attribute is scoring.
Young is a 6-2 point guard who went undrafted in 2024 out of Maryland. Young, who saw action in six games with Chicago last year, had a fantastic G League campaign split between the Windy City Bulls and the Grand Rapids Gold. The 6-foot point guard played well for the Bulls Summer League squad, compiling 13.1 points and 4.0 assists with shooting splits of 53.3/56.3/84.6. He is an outstanding and strong ball handler who hounds opposing point guards on defense.
Thompson has spent most of his career in the G-League. The 26-year-old wing, who spent last season with the Orlando Magic G-League squad, Osceola Magic, is participating in an NBA training camp. He is a good shooter, a decent ball handler, and solid defensively.
Dainja went undrafted out of Memphis this past June. The 6-9 forward had a solid summer league campaign with the Heat as he averaged 9.2 points, on 61.5% shooting, and 2.6 rebounds in 14 minutes over five appearances. He scored in double figures twice in Vegas.
Prediction: Young likely has a slight edge due to his defensive ability and playmaking skills. However, all four players and Gardner will likely spend most of the season with the Heat’s G-League affiliate in Sioux Falls.
Strengths
1. Coaching
Spoelstra has built a fantastic culture with the Heat and remains one of the NBA’s top developers of young talent — 11 of the 21 players on the Heat’s training camp roster are under 25. Spoelstra’s culture continues to emphasize resilience, defense, and internal growth, with a specific focus on toughness and defensive consistency this year.
Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the game today. He has posted a winning season in 13 of 17 seasons and owns a 57% winning percentage. Additionally, the 54-year-old owns a 57% playoff winning percentage and has led the Heat to two NBA championships and six Finals appearances.
2. Frontcourt
Adebayo is one of the top big men in the game. Ware has shown promise and is still developing an all-around game. Goldin figures to earn some time due to his all-around game and footwork. Meanwhile, this is a key season for Jovic, who has been identified as one of the two most important players for the Heat going forward.
3, Shot-Creation
Powell, Herro, and Wiggins all can create their own offense.
4. Defensive Rebounding
Weaknesses
1. Quickness
2. Playmaking
3. Offensive Rebounding
4. Getting To the Free Throw Line
5. Point Guard
Questions surround the position with Herro out. 2025 first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis is probably the Heat’s best option at point guard. But the 19-year-old is unlikely to see much time with the Heat this year, particularly in the early going.
Injury Notes
Larsson has missed the Heat’s first two training camp practices. According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Larsson is considered day-to-day due to a left quad contusion, which he suffered during the 2025 EuroBaskets.
Chiang also noted that Rozier was held out of Wednesday’s practice after straining his left hamstring while running sprints at the end of Tuesday’s session. Rozier is slated to return to practice next week.
Trade Candidates
- Terry Rozier
- Simone Fontcheccio
- Norman Powell
- Andrew Wiggins
© Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
The post Miami Heat Training Camp Notes: Who Will Replace Tyler Herro In Lineup? Positional Battles, Strengths and Weaknesses, Expectations & Trade Candidates appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.