South Florida

Before the Miami Heat gets started in 2025, here's a look at last year

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The articles focus on storylines around the Miami Heat, especially Tyler Herro's rise, ongoing trade discussions, and the team's approach to the draft and building around its current core. They all detail how the franchise evaluates talent development, roster moves, and position in the Eastern Conference.

Tyler Herro earned his first NBA All-Star selection, reflecting his growth and importance to Miami. The Heat have expressed interest in trade opportunities, including talks about acquiring Kevin Durant. Miami owns the 20th pick in the upcoming draft and is weighing whether to keep it or include it in a trade for immediate help. The team’s mock drafts mention prospects like Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf as potential fits if Miami keeps the pick. There is also attention on how new additions or draftees might work alongside mainstays like Bam Adebayo and Norman Powell as Miami pushes for a better spot in the East.

Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) defends during the first half at FedExForum.

NO. 1: WITH NINE VETERANS HELD OUT, HEAT BEATS MEMPHIS IN PRESEASON FINALE: FIVE TAKEAWAYS

Heat concludes preseason with comeback win in Memphis, as young players get substantial playing time | Published October 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Heat players Tyler Herro (14), Bam Adebayo (13), Pelle Larsson (5) and Jimmy Butler (22) react to a play during the second half of an NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at the Kaseya Center on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Miami, Fla.

NO. 2: HEAT’S BIG THREE LEADS MIAMI BACK ABOVE .500. HERE’S WHAT MUST HAPPEN WITH THEM NOW

The Heat’s three best players, who had good nights against Toronto, haven’t played well together enough. | Published November 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) shoots the winning basket during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. By Mike Watters

NO. 3: TYLER HERRO HITS GAME-WINNER, LIFTING HEAT TO PAYBACK ROAD VICTORY OVER MAGIC. TAKEAWAYS

A Tyler Herro game-winner completed the Heat’s fourth-quarter comeback in Orlando. | Published December 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. By Gary A. Vasquez

NO. 4: HEAT FALLS TO LAKERS TO FINISH JIMMY BUTLER-LESS WEST COAST TRIP AT 3-3. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

The Heat is coming home after a 3-3 West Coast trip. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) drives past Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half of an NBA game at Kaseya Center on January 27, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 5: HEAT’S TYLER HERRO RECEIVES NEWS HE WAS HOPING FOR, NAMED ALL-STAR FOR FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER

Heat guard Tyler Herro received good news on Thursday night. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang Barry Jackson

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dribbles the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. By Kevin Sousa

NO. 6: HEAT HOLDS ON FOR OVERTIME ROAD WIN OVER RAPTORS TO SNAP FOUR-GAME SKID. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

The Heat’s season-long losing skid is over. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts on the bench against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena. By Dale Zanine

NO. 7: FLOUNDERING HEAT HOPES HOME-HEAVY STRETCH LEADS TO MORE WINS: ‘WE GOT TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT’

The floundering Heat hopes home is where the wins are. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

The Miami Heat’s scouting department, including vice president/player personnel and assistant GM Adam Simon (middle), should have an interesting choice of players with their first-round pick in June’s NBA Draft. By Manny Navarro

NO. 8: A LOOK AT HEAT MOCK DRAFTS AND WORKOUTS. AND HERRO, OPPOSING COACH DISCUSS WARE UPSIDE

A look at names linked to the Heat with the 20th pick. And notes on Kel’el Ware and Heat draft workouts. | Published June 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Heat players and coaches watch a play from the sideline during the second half of Game 4 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center on April 28, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 9: BUSY PART OF NBA OFFSEASON APPROACHING. HERE ARE IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES TO KNOW FOR HEAT

The busy part of the offseason is approaching for the Heat and the rest of the NBA. | Published June 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat stand for the National Anthem before a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Kaseya Center in downtown Miami, Fla. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 10: WHERE DOES HEAT STAND IN EAST? VETERAN SCOUT WEIGHS IN. AND KAI JONES UPDATE

Where has a busy NBA offseason of transactions left the Heat in the Eastern Conference hierarchy? | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Heat players react on the court while huddling up during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center on April 26, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 11: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HEAT’S 2025-26 SCHEDULE: LIST OF GAMES, HOW MANY ON NATIONAL TV AND MORE

Following the departure of Jimmy Butler and two consecutive first-round playoff exits, the Miami Heat is apparently no longer a national draw. | Published August 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.