As the Miami Heat enter the new year, we have a clear sense of their strengths and challenges. With the team heading into 2025 as a near .500 squad, their chances of contending will depend on key decisions and performances.
To turn their hopes into reality, the Heat should focus on these three resolutions in 2025 to put themselves in serious playoff contention.
Make a Decision on Jimmy Butler
The Heat’s top priority is to decide whether to keep Jimmy Butler or start reshaping the team. Butler’s “trade preference” has been a distraction, creating uncertainty both on and off the court.
With the team aiming to avoid a third straight season in the play-in tournament, the rumors about Butler are not helping to build confidence within the locker room.
Butler has been efficient this season, and when he plays, he has a big impact every game. He has been a key player in keeping the team in playoff contention, and without him, it’s hard to see how the Heat can maintain that. The team should put an end to the speculation and make a clear decision: either commit to Butler or trade him to a contender.
Offering him an extension would show that Jimmy is not just another player in Miami, but a central figure in the team’s culture. If they decide to trade him, it would signal to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro that they are now the focal points.
While Pat Riley is not rushing any decisions, Heat fans hope he will make a choice for the future, as he should have done last offseason.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Bam Adebayo, with offensive struggles standing out more than before. His chances of making a third straight All-Star appearance are slim, as his numbers and efficiency have decreased.
Bam Must Rediscover His Offense
Next, the Heat need to focus on getting Adebayo back to his offensive best. There have been too many moments where he seems unsure of himself. In his seventh season, Adebayo has been a key part of Miami’s success in recent years, but his performance this season has not matched his usual level.
This resolution starts by empowering Adebayo to take on a bigger offensive role while continuing to be a central figure in the offense. Despite his slow start, his ability to set up plays has been one of his stronger points. Adebayo’s defense remains elite, anchoring a top-10 defense for the Heat.
Whether it’s adjusting the offense to fit his game or focusing on specific areas for improvement, the Heat need to help Adebayo return to his All-Star form for what could be his final season alongside Butler. Tyler Herro has been playing at a high level, but to reach their full potential, the Heat need Adebayo to return to being the dominant two-way force he’s capable of.
Avoid the Play-In Tournament
The final resolution for the Heat is to avoid the play-in tournament. For the past two seasons, the team has been stuck in the play-in, and both the players and the fans are tired of hoping for a miracle run. Currently sitting at the seventh seed with a 16-14 record, securing a better seed must be a priority for the second half of the season.
Having a home-court advantage and fewer games before the playoffs is crucial, as anything can happen. The Heat saw firsthand how an injury to Butler, after playing an extra game in Philadelphia, impacted their chances in the past.
With Herro playing the best basketball of his career, the Heat have a solid offensive leader for the regular season. If Adebayo can keep delivering solid performances and Butler gets back to full health, the Heat have what they need to secure a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference.
Though some of these resolutions may be beyond the Heat’s control, just like any New Year’s resolution, it’s important to stay focused on the goal and take it day by day. With the right adjustments and dedication, the Heat can make the 2024-25 season one to remember, turning things around after a rough start.
