- Jimmy Butler heading to Nashville to focus on artistic endeavor that’s been a long time coming
- Erik Spoelstra speaks out on Tua Tagovailoa’s injury: ‘Everybody is looking to blame immediately when something happens’
- Goran Dragic says he still ‘cannot sleep well’ because he wants to return to NBA Finals after getting there with Miami Heat
- Dwyane Wade claps back at Miami Heat fan who disapproves of him wearing Utah Jazz gear
- Report: Jae Crowder has been in contact with the Miami Heat
- Brian Windhorst says LeBron James was ‘never totally comfortable’ in Miami like he is in Los Angeles
- Tyler Herro says he doesn’t care if he gets traded but states he wants to stay with Miami Heat
- Tyler Herro offers clear warning to rest of league, including a special message for Jimmy Butler
- Tyler Herro opens up on playoff struggles last season: ‘I think part of it had to do with finding out I’m having another kid’
- Report: Jamal Crawford set to replace Dwyane Wade in coveted ‘NBA on TNT’ role
ESPN Projects How Many Wins Miami Heat Will Have Next Season
- Updated: August 26, 2016
In a tumultuous offseason that saw Dwyane Wade abruptly leave the Miami Heat and other key personnel either head elsewhere or find themselves in limbo, the projections for the 2016-17 season are likely to be a source of interest for Heat fans.
One of the first to take a stab at offering his opinion on the matter is ESPN’s Kevin Pelton. He isn’t terribly upbeat about Miami’s chances with one month left before training camp opens, noting the departures of Wade, Luol Deng and Joe Johnson from the 2015-16 roster and the uncertain future of veteran forward Chris Bosh.
Pelton has projected the Heat to win 38.3 games, a victory total that would keep them out of the postseason. He predicts that they will finish in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, just below another playoff team from last year, the Atlanta Hawks. Even more ominously, an adjusted projection would drop them down two spots without Bosh in the lineup.
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“Even with Chris Bosh in the lineup, the Heat may have a tough time making the playoffs after losing Luol Deng, Joe Johnson and Dwyane Wade. Without Bosh, Miami’s projection drops to 35.2 wins and 12th in the East,” Pelton wrote.
If Pelton’s numbers hold true to form, the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors would have the most wins in their respective conferences. The Cavaliers are projected to have 52.1 wins, while the Warriors (who added Kevin Durant in the offseason) would end the upcoming campaign with 66.8 victories. The San Antonio Spurs would actually finish with the second-most wins, behind the Warriors with 54.5.
Miami gets their season underway on the road with an in-state trip to Orlando to face the Magic on October 26. Two nights later, they begin the home portion of their season with a matchup against a playoff rival from last year, the Charlotte Hornets.
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