The Miami Heat have completed a blockbuster trade with the Milwaukee Bucks that has landed them with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis in exchange for the trade package that included Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and Kasparas Jakucionis heading to Milwaukee with four picks and one pick-swap.
Since the Heat have traded away a key starter in Herro and a rotational starter like Ware, Miami’s starting lineup would look extremely different from what it did last season. Let’s take a look at the potential starting five for the Heat from next season.
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Norman Powell (if he re-signs with the team)
SF: Andrew Wiggins (if he opts into his player option or signs an extension)
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bam Adebayo
The biggest factors to be taken into consideration for this starting lineup are that both Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins need to return next season for this to be the case. Andrew Wiggins has a $30.1 million player option, and Norman Powell is an unrestricted free agent this summer, who is expected to seek a contract upwards of $20 million per year.
While the Heat can sign both these players to extensions since they have their Bird Rights, Powell’s demands could put the Heat in a tough position if Wiggins opts into his player option.
“The Heat are now hard-capped to the first apron by using the 125 percent expanded trade exception for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have $18.1 million in first apron space to fill 4 roster spots. They can create more space by trading Nikola Jovic or, if Andrew Wiggins opts out,” wrote Yossi Gozlan, a salary cap expert.
“This Heat roster needs shooting. They can re-sign Norman Powell up to any amount with his Bird rights and even extend him now. They’ll need to reduce their payroll to create space to re-sign him. They could also use more flexibility to open up the full $15M mid-level,” Gozlan explained on X.
Andrew Wiggins could become the only three-point threat on this team if Powell leaves. He averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while going 47.5% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the three-point line in 2025-26.
“Andrew Wiggins declining his player option and re-signing on a long-term deal at a lower starting salary could create enough apron space to re-sign Norman Powell,” Gozlan further added. “But after seeing some of today’s trades and contracts, Wiggins’ market could be too strong for that to be feasible.”
The Heat would prefer to at least bring Wiggins back or re-sign Norman Powell; they cannot afford to lose them both in the offseason, as this team already lacks floor spacing. Assuming Wiggins picks up his player option, here’s what the starting five could also look like if Norman Powell does not re-sign with the team.
PG: Davion Mitchell
SG: Andrew Wiggins
SF: Bobby Portis
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bam Adebayo
But Bobby Portis has rarely played as a small forward, as he mainly played in the power forward or center role for the Bucks. Even though he can space the floor, he would not be an ideal player to have in that position.
Moreover, Norman Powell had an exceptional season last year, where he was selected to be an All-Star for the first time in his career. He ended the season averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while going 47.0% from the field and 38.0% from beyond the arc. So I do not think the Heat would let their All-Star walk in free agency so easily.
Antetokounmpo’s arrival has made the Heat a nearly unstoppable threat inside the paint, but they truly lack floor spacing in terms of depth in their roster as well. Hopefully, with the three remaining spots on their roster, they can add three-point sharpshooters to the team.
If fully healthy with a decent depth in the roster, this starting lineup could become a championship contender. But the Heat need to search really thoroughly for the right pieces, as they no longer have a lot of tradeable players and assets. So the Heat will remain a team to keep an eye on through free agency.
