9 pivotal storylines for the Miami Heat’s 2025-26 season

The curated articles examine the Miami Heat’s pivotal season by highlighting changes in leadership, roster moves, and player health. Each article discusses challenges or decisions that shape the team’s direction.

Tyler Herro’s ankle surgery affects the Heat’s lineup and scoring options early in the season. His pending contract extension brings negotiations and uncertainty for both Herro and the organization. Coach Erik Spoelstra takes on new responsibility with the U.S. Men’s National Team, adding to his existing role with the Heat. The roster sees a shift, as the team trades Haywood Highsmith and a draft pick to move below the luxury tax line. Precious Achiuwa’s second stint with the team involves a non-guaranteed deal, leaving his future uncertain. The Heat’s opening loss to the Orlando Magic features an up-tempo offense and late-game struggles. These storylines reflect adjustments after recent playoff exits and changes in national attention for the team.

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. 1: 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

Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra speaks with forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the first half of an NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Kaseya Center on January 27, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 2: HEAT TRADES HAYWOOD HIGHSMITH AND PICK TO NETS TO ESCAPE LUXURY TAX. HERE ARE THE DETAILS

During what’s usually a quiet period in the NBA offseason, the Miami Heat made a trade. | Published August 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) bends over in between plays during the second half of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Kaseya Center on April 28, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 3: HEAT’S TYLER HERRO UNDERGOES ANKLE SURGERY, EXPECTED TO MISS EIGHT WEEKS. THE LATEST DETAILS

The Miami Heat will begin this upcoming season without one of its best players. | Published September 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Tyler Herro (14) laughs after a portrait session with Miami Herald photographer Carl Juste, right, during the Miami Heat Media Day on Sept. 29, 2025, at Kaseya Center in Miami. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 4: TYLER HERRO HOPING FOR EXTENSION WITH HEAT BEFORE SEASON, BUT WON’T ‘LOSE MY JOY’ IF NO EXTENSION

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro won’t be taking part in training camp this week after undergoing surgery on his left ankle earlier this month. | Published September 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Precious Achiuwa (8) does a drill during the second day of Miami HEAT Training Camp on Oct. 1, 2025, at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 5: ACHIUWA WORKING TO MAKE MOST OF SECOND HEAT OPPORTUNITY: ‘THERE’S SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS’

Precious Achiuwa was selected by the Miami Heat with the 20th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but the big man only spent his rookie season in Miami before being dealt to the Toronto Raptors as part of the trade that brought Kyle Lowry to the Heat during the 2021 offseason. | Published October 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

USA basketball assistant coach Erik Spoelstra before a game against Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. By John David Mercer

NO. 6: SPOELSTRA REACTS TO BEING NAMED U.S. OLYMPIC COACH. AND HEAT SHUFFLES ROSTER

Erik Spoelstra’s expected appointment to the role of Team USA men’s Olympic basketball coach was made official on Wednesday, when the nation’s basketball federation named him Steve Kerr’s successor. | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Barry Jackson

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and assistant coach Chris Quinn look on during the first half of an NBA preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs at Kaseya Center on October 8, 2025, in Miami. By D.A. Varela

NO. 7: HEAT HAS ROSTER DECISIONS TO MAKE IN COMING DAYS. A LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIGURED OUT

The end of the Miami Heat’s preseason is near. | Published October 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and coach Erik Spoelstra greet each other during training camp at Abessino Court at Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton on October 2, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 8: HEAT’S BAM ADEBAYO AND ERIK SPOELSTRA EMBARK ON NINTH SEASON TOGETHER: ‘I TREASURE THAT’

As the Miami Heat enters its 38th season in franchise history, center Bam Adebayo and coach Erik Spoelstra enter their ninth consecutive season together. | Published October 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Anthony Chiang

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat grabs a defensive rebound against Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic in the second half of the game at Kia Center on October 22, 2025 in Orlando. By Julio Aguilar

NO. 9: HEAT PLAYS FASTER, BUT WASTES FOURTH-QUARTER LEAD IN SEASON-OPENING LOSS TO MAGIC. TAKEAWAYS AND DETAILS

Five takeaways from the Miami Heat’s season-opening 125-121 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night at Kia Center. | 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.