By Joel Perez 
The Giannis Era is officially underway, with the roster being damn near complete. The latest offseason addition is Nick Richards, who’ll play a pivotal big man role off the bench in spurts during the regular season and in emergency situations during the playoffs.
The roster is nearly complete, with 14 roster spots filled, along with three two way deals going to FAU standout Vlad Goldin, who’s been a developmental piece for the Heat going back to last season. Dunk contest champion Keshad Johnson returns to the Heat on a two way deal, and the last of the two way deals was given to University of Miami standout Tre Donaldson, who’s shined in offseason workouts and scrimmages while playing alongside Heat and NBA stars.
Now that we’re done talking about two way deals, we’ve got to start talking about someone who I believe will play a pivotal role throughout the regular season in spurts, with that player being Ryan Conwell. He’s projected to be an absolute juggernaut from outside the arc and is expected to be one of the guys the Heat are going to try and get involved, as he plays a particular role the Heat will desperately need: a guard who can play make for himself and others.
Again, that comes from being a very hopeful fan of Conwell and the Heat, of course, but if Ryan comes out on fire, puts together some games, and impresses Erik Spoelstra, I can totally see Conwell playing a role like Kendrick Nunn years ago.
Alrighty, enough about the bottom of the bench. Let’s get to the gritty gritty.
Giannis is a member of the Miami Heat, and alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt, they make what seems to be the best frontcourt in basketball. The huge question for them is how they’ll mesh offensively, but defensively… it doesn’t get better than that.
Other than that, to round out the lineup, it’ll consist of Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, and a rotation of wings depending on what Coach Spo wants to see out of the starters. But my assumption, at least to start out the season, will be free agent acquisition Klay Thompson, who brings a necessity to this Heat lineup: being a premier perimeter shooter.
Klay, even at his older age, brings that to the table at a tremendous rate and has played just about 69 games or more in the past four seasons. Health is one thing the Heat have been lacking as well over the past couple of years.
Another key free agent acquisition I believe will play tremendously is Tim Hardaway Jr., who shot over 40% from three and will have the green light in this offense just like Klay will, as the Heat can use all the perimeter shooting they can find and get with both Giannis and Bam taking up the majority of the space inside.
Having Klay, THJ, Wiggs, and newcomer Bobby Portis Jr., who was brought in via the Giannis trade and also shoots over 40% from three, the Heat seemingly have enough perimeter shooting around the premier frontcourt, with the huge question being playmaking.The Heat have always had a playmaker on the floor to initiate offense in stretches, just like Jimmy Butler would, and then Jaime Jaquez Jr. did last year off the bench, nearly winning Sixth Man of the Year. Since both of those guys are gone, I think that role will go to Pelle Larsson, who’s been an absolute stud for the Heat going back to his rookie year, improving game after game and being a spot starter last year.
This year, he could possibly play his biggest role yet by being a do it all kind of player and will more than likely be an initiator on the offensive end, alongside the simple fact that he probably is the best cutter on the roster. It felt like most of his big nights offensively came from cuts to the basket, along with getting hot from outside.
Pelle Larsson has the chance to be one of the most important players for the Heat, possibly closing games alongside Wiggins, Bam, Giannis, and possibly Davion Mitchell, being a surefire lineup on the defensive end and potentially offensively dynamic with expected offensive improvement from both Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson.
The Heat started out the summer in no man’s land, and now, after all the acquisitions, there seems to be a clear path on paper for where this team is headed. With possible, and honestly more than likely, major improvement from a variety of players on the roster, the Heat are expected to be amongst the top of the East compared to years past, where Miami seemed to be stuck in the Play In.
We’ll most definitely have a lot more content on the Miami Heat coming closer to the start of the season, so please be on the lookout for that as we talk about all things Miami Heat!
Joel Perez