After losing Caleb Martin to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat will need to tinker with some new lineups. Miami is hoping for more growth from Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic this upcoming season, and for rookie Kel’el Ware to play impactful minutes, to backfill the loss of another rotation player. Erik Spoelstra has some options. Here are three lineups he could use next season.
Offensive lineup
Miami’s best offensive lineup would be Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo.
This would be the maximum spacing for Miami. With two elite shooters and Jovic becoming more consistent from 3, they will provide elite spacing for Butler and Adebayo. After experimenting with taking 3s at the end of last season, Adebayo may also develop into a threat to stretch the floor.
Miami is at its best when Butler is playing in space, but this lineup is more than just spacing. All five guys can handle and pass, as well, making it an especially threatening offensive option.
Defensive lineup
A super-sized lineup of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith, Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware would be interesting.
They can switch 1 through 5 and defend the paint with length.
With Martin, gone, Jaquez will need to develop more on the defensive end. Jaquez has the potential to be a good defender.
When Butler is engaged, he is as good as it gets as a perimeter defender, reading passing lanes and creating turnovers. Highsmith is Miami’s best wing defender and is capable of guarding elite wings like Jayson Tatum and others.
Moving Adebayo to the four would allow him to impact opposing possessions as a weak-side defender who can fly in for blocks and contests. Adebayo is more than capable of guarding forwards, and freeing up to do so as a power forward could help him show his versatility.
Of course, Ware is the wildcard. It has been a while since Miami had a 7-footer with this much athleticism. He’s raw defensively, but he’s big. If the Heat’s coaching staff can get him up to speed quickly, Ware provides a shot blocker who can clean up the paint and grab defensive rebounds at a high rate.
Closing Lineup
Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Haywood Highsmith, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Miami’s closing lineups will likely be based on matchups and who has the hot hand for that game. When Terry Rozier or Tyler Herro has it going on, at least one has to be on the court to provide shooting and playmaking ability. Playing both of Miami’s smaller guards could be an issue defensively. Duncan Robinson could be on the floor due to the spacing he provides, especially if the 3s are going in.
With two of Herro, Rozier and Robinson on the floor, the Heat need the other three starters to be high-level defenders. Highsmith provides defense and spacing, whereas Jovic provides size, playmaking and floor spacing. We’re slotting in Highsmith for now, but if Jovic continues to improve defensively, he could take his spot.
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