Heat Starters Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic Still Recovering From Monthslong njuries [Video]

Just two seasons removed from their most recent NBA Finals appearance, the Miami Heat appear to be a team in transition.

In 2023-24, Miami did make some critical personnel improvements, though it whiffed on trading to acquire hoped-for target Damian Lillard in what would have been a blockbuster trade. Instead, the Heat jettisoned aging starting point guard Kyle Lowry in exchange for Terry Rozier midseason.

Miami also scored a home run first-round draft steal in eventual All-Rookie First Team small forward Jaime Jaquez out of UCLA. Still, things ended quickly in the playoffs for the 46-36 squad. With All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler out after the Heat’s first play-in tournament game, Miami fell to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in a brisk five-game first-round series.

Outside of drafting 7-foot center Kel’el Ware with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 NBADraft out of Indiana, the club had a fairly listless offseason. The team brought back reserve center Thomas Bryant on …