ICYMI: What we were talking about as the Miami Heat started its new season
The articles focus on the Miami Heat's key challenges as they approach media day and training camp. These challenges include decisions about starting roles, monitoring player health, and adjusting playstyle.
The Heat prepare to manage without Tyler Herro, who will miss games after ankle surgery. Norman Powell will step into a larger role, while other guards fill in. The team experiments with faster offensive pace, aiming for more ball movement and quicker possessions. Their preseason also reveals lineup changes, with several regulars missing games due to rest or injuries. Young players, such as Kasparas Jakucionis, show promise in preseason action with their playmaking. The front office keeps its salary cap in check by not using the waive-and-stretch provision. Veteran additions Powell and Simone Fontecchio strive to prove value on both ends of the court. Nikola Jovic draws attention with a new contract extension and expresses motivation to live up to expectations.
NO. 1: HEAT HEADING TO PUERTO RICO FOR PRESEASON GAME VS. MAGIC. HERE’S HEAT’S FULL PRESEASON SCHEDULE
The Miami Heat will take a trip to Puerto Rico before the start of the regular season. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 2: HEAT DOESN’T USE WAIVE-AND-STRETCH PROVISION AHEAD OF FRIDAY’S DEADLINE
The Heat opted not to use the waive-and-stretch provision ahead of Friday’s 5 p.m. | Published August 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
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NO. 3: PLENTY OF QUESTIONS SURROUND THE HEAT ENTERING MEDIA DAY AND TRAINING CAMP
For the first time since 2018, the Miami Heat will begin a season without Jimmy Butler on its roster. | Published September 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 4: NIKOLA JOVIC GETS ‘EXTRA BOOST’ FROM IMPENDING EXTENSION WITH HEAT: ‘I’M HAPPY’
As of Thursday afternoon, Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic had yet to formally sign his extension. | Published October 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 5: WHAT HEAT’S TWO VETERAN PICKUPS WANT TO PROVE. AND NEWS ON WARE, HERRO, MITCHELL
The Heat knows that its two new veteran additions, Norman Powell and Simone Fontecchio, can shoot splendidly from distance, particularly Powell. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson
NO. 6: HEAT ROOKIE KASPARAS JAKUCIONIS OPENS EYES WITH STANDOUT PRESEASON DEBUT: ‘HE HAS A VISION’
Just a few hours before Miami Heat rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis made his NBA preseason debut Wednesday night, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was asked if this will be more of a developmental year for Jakucionis than one he makes an actual on-court impact in. | Published October 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 7: HEAT SITS STARTERS, FALLS TO 0-4 IN PRESEASON WITH LOSS TO MAGIC. TAKEAWAYS
Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 120-104 loss to the Orlando Magic on Sunday night night at Kia Center to drop to 0-4 this preseason. | Published October 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 8: HEAT STILL WINLESS IN PRESEASON AFTER OT LOSS, AS ADEBAYO EXITS WITH KNEE CONTUSION. TAKEAWAYS
Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s 119-118 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night at State Farm Arena to drop to 0-5 this preseason. | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang
NO. 9: HEAT’S SPOELSTRA ‘NOT LOOKING FOR MORAL VICTORIES,’ BUT ENCOURAGED AFTER SEASON-OPENING LOSS
So much was different about the Miami Heat in Wednesday’s season opener, but unfortunately so much was also the same. | Published October 23, 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.