After an unexpected 102-86 defeat in Brooklyn, the Heat (25-25) returns home in 7th place in the Eastern Conference and with the firm hope of finishing in the top six spots, helped by the team’s new reinforcements.
On February 5, the day before the transfer market closed, the Miami team sent Jimmy Butler to the Warriors in an exchange in which he brought Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and Kyle Anderson.
Now everyone wonders if change has actually been good. Much more after learning the Heat didn’t press everything for Kevin Durant thinking they had enough after the Suns asked for a higher price for their star.
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Everything indicates that change is good, but it is still too early to answer this question. Everything will depend on what these new reinforcements can do and how coach Erik Spoelstra manages to get them out of them.
On the other hand, the Heat had to get rid of Butler before it became a toxic piece for the team, even if it was a penalty, after all, that he gave in previous years in Miami’s uniform, reaching two NBA Finals in the last four years.
Pat Riley is said to have even wept for holding him, the truth is that Jimmy stayed duty and really went out the back door in the worst way. However, you can’t forget all the good he did for the Capital of the Sun quintet, being certainly one of the best players in franchise history.
The Heat sent him to the Golden State team at the other conference, and will now be able to pay his tribute on March 25 when Miami receives the Warriors at the Kaseya Center in the second meeting between the two quintets this season.
Now Wiggins will have to fill his shoes and conditions are not missing number 1 of the 2014 Draft, who has averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, something he can enhance, along with his good defense.
Wiggins is also 6.9 and at 29 he is a much more athletic player than in Miami’s discipline he must grow and regain star brilliance. The striker was NBA champions with the Warriors in 2022, when he was the headliner in the Star Game, having been the Rookie of the Year with the Timberwolves in 2015.
He may not have Butler’s strength or mentality, but he has other resources, such as a better three-point shot and speed.
The best thing is that not only came but brought Anderson, who is a decent striker who historically averages 6.8 points per game, providing a good shot (47.7%), good height 6.9, and great versatility, which makes him a good substitute.
In addition, there is the shipowner Mitchell, who although not a great shooter, with 7.3 points per game (with 43.4 in field shots and 33.2 in triples), if he is considered one of the best defensive players in the NBA, which fits perfectly in the Heat Culture.
The Heat also took the opportunity to send Josh Richardson to the Jazz after an injury-plagued season and make a gap to complete his 15 players by lowering the salary cap and ensuring a first-round draft pick, no doubt a master play.
The three newcomers could make their Miami jersey debut on Monday, February 10 (7:30 p.m.) against the Celtics at Kaseya Center, although in truth all the spotlights will settle on Wiggins, seeing nothing less fit than facing one of the NBA’s best teams.
So the new era of the Heat has begun and this is coming full of illusion, with the expectation of reaching the playoffs directly and seeing if Wiggins is really a Butler’s up.
