2024-25 Regular Season Thread Vol. 2

[greg4012]

I kinda like John Collins as a player - he's overpaid but he's also young and good.

The thing I struggle with is the fit - we have 4 needs at the PF position :

1. Size - which Collins brings
2. Spacing - He can shoot but he's not really a shooter, always on low volume.
3. Defense - he has the size and athletic ability but never been a good defender.
4. Creating - he's not a creator for himself or others - can only finish plays.

So in terms of talent he's very qualified, but his fit is very questionable.

What we really need is a bigger, better HighSmith.
Collins is just a very different type.

Generally agree. I'm always wary of a player that's value/stats are inflated when playing on the worst teams of his career. That concern is compounded when it's a role player that has barely been able to generate more assists than turnovers throughout their career. What does that offensive contribution look like in a team offense that is competing to win? What else is provided beyond pillaging in ruins on a losing team?

[greg4012]

Isnt Collins a poor defender? Im not sure we can handle too many minus defenders as we have a few logging heavy minutes already.

The impact of Highsmith's defensive versatility into the starting lineup has been a very underrated element of the season turnaround. Part of why Miami is able to find success with the splash bros approach with Tyler and Duncan is because of the defensive versatility of the other 3 guys.

Highsmith is doing a lot more defensively than simply matching up with the opposing PF. He's the primary POA defender in the starting lineup.

[twix2500]

Isnt Collins a poor defender? Im not sure we can handle too many minus defenders as we have a few logging heavy minutes already.

The impact of Highsmith's defensive versatility into the starting lineup has been a very underrated element of the season turnaround. Part of why Miami is able to find success with the splash bros approach with Tyler and Duncan is because of the defensive versatility of the other 3 guys.

Highsmith is doing a lot more defensively than simply matching up with the opposing PF. He's the primary POA defender in the starting lineup.

Haywood Highsmith Defensive Matchups Frequency by Position
Guards - 48.4%
Forwards - 44.2%
Centers - 7.4%

The position that defends Highsmith
Guards - 53.8%
Forwards - 42.4%
Centers - 3.8%

[twix2500]

Miami Heat are ranked #5 in the NBA in average points per possession off of Hand Offs
1. Mavericks
2. Bucks
3. Knicks
4. Nets
5. Heat

[DayofMourning]

Isnt Collins a poor defender? Im not sure we can handle too many minus defenders as we have a few logging heavy minutes already.

The impact of Highsmith's defensive versatility into the starting lineup has been a very underrated element of the season turnaround. Part of why Miami is able to find success with the splash bros approach with Tyler and Duncan is because of the defensive versatility of the other 3 guys.

Highsmith is doing a lot more defensively than simply matching up with the opposing PF. He's the primary POA defender in the starting lineup.

Every time we insert a defender in to the lineup we get better. Dru is the latest.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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[3ammy3uck3ts]

Isnt Collins a poor defender? Im not sure we can handle too many minus defenders as we have a few logging heavy minutes already.

The impact of Highsmith's defensive versatility into the starting lineup has been a very underrated element of the season turnaround. Part of why Miami is able to find success with the splash bros approach with Tyler and Duncan is because of the defensive versatility of the other 3 guys.

Highsmith is doing a lot more defensively than simply matching up with the opposing PF. He's the primary POA defender in the starting lineup.

Haywood Highsmith Defensive Matchups Frequency by Position
Guards - 48.4%
Forwards - 44.2%
Centers - 7.4%

The position that defends Highsmith
Guards - 53.8%
Forwards - 42.4%
Centers - 3.8%

Yep he is the key to it all. You couldn’t start this lineup with Jovic or Love or someone slotting in at the 4. Jaime either, I mean I guess you could but it would look ugly. Highsmith is viewed as the 4 when really it’s Jimmy. Highsmith is the guy defending opposing teams best guard/perimeter player. If we’re playing the Sixers he’s on Maxey, Jimmy’s on PG and Bam is on Embiid while you put Duncan and Herro on the worse starters. Against the Kings he’ll be on Fox, warriors hell be on curry, thunder he’ll be on SGA etc. this allows you to start Herro and Duncan in the back court defensively.

Offensively Bams playmaking, screen setting, etc. as our now point center allows you to go with no PG with added help of Jimmy and Herros playmaking

[RexBoyWonder]

Cameron Johnson could take our offense to another level, deadly stretch 4 that isn't a bad defender (isnt great either).

wish he was a bit tougher.

[AirP.]

Cameron Johnson could take our offense to another level, deadly stretch 4 that isn't a bad defender (isnt great either).

wish he was a bit tougher.

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[MettaWorldPanda]

Cameron Johnson could take our offense to another level, deadly stretch 4 that isn't a bad defender (isnt great either).

wish he was a bit tougher.

Nets want way too much for him.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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Schroder can still be sent out at salary filler with other Warriors players, that’s wild.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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Schroder can still be sent out at salary filler with other Warriors players, that’s wild.

These people just need to keep running the story. Warriors traded 3 2nds for Schroeder cause they really wanted him. He’s not going to be reflipped for Bulter. But they’ll keep telling us it can happen

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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This seems like a fun topic because you could probably net Zion in any Jimmy trade if they decide to go that route but that’s a MASSIVE gamble. Would heat conditioning and body fat percentage requirements completely change the outlook on Zions career?

[Beenie]

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This seems like a fun topic because you could probably net Zion in any Jimmy trade if they decide to go that route but that’s a MASSIVE gamble. Would heat conditioning and body fat percentage requirements completely change the outlook on Zions career?

Between this idea and anything the warriors could offer, I much prefer Zion.

That said, Jimmy a lifer

[3ammy3uck3ts]

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GET IT DONE PAT!!!!

[AirP.]

5 Reasons who has been talking about moving Butler for a while, on their latest podcast of theirs they finally brought up moving Bam and thinking Miami could get 2-3 1st round picks for him. It's not about # of draft picks, although it can help, it's about getting one or 2 picks near the top of the draft to build with.

I'm not a fan of teams tanking although I understand if you're a small market team or a non-destination for stars but those teams are almost farm teams for the true destination teams though.

[Wiltside]

Zion would either be the greatest achievement of Heat Culture, or an absolute roster ruiner.

Has big time “I can fix him” vibes. I’m psycho enough to consider it though.

[MettaWorldPanda]

TOTAL TAX
$183,128,008 / 7th
ACTIVE TAX
$183,128,008 / 7th
TAX SPACE
$-12,314,008
EST. TAX BILL
$21,741,232

2025/26

TOTAL TAX
$191,957,160 / 7th
ACTIVE TAX
$191,957,160 / 7th
TAX SPACE
$-4,060,160
EST. TAX BILL
$4,060,159

This is our current cap situation for the next couple of years. Next year’s figure is assuming Butler’s 52 million opt in and exercising Duncan’s 9.8 million ETO on 19.8 million if we do nothing. Cap going up next year and with Burks and J Rich coming off leaves us 4 million away from the tax. We will have to be out of the tax next year in order to avoid the repeater tax so keep that in mind. We can get out of tax by exercising Duncan’s ETO but also takes away a tradeable expiring contract. Trading Rozier for some type of expiring next year or taking back less money would help things out.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Zion would either be the greatest achievement of Heat Culture, or an absolute roster ruiner.

Has big time “I can fix him” vibes. I’m psycho enough to consider it though.

The fix him vibes will be when the Pels release him due to his non guarantees in his contract for not playing in enough games. I put the chance at trading for his contract at zero.

[MettaWorldPanda]

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GET IT DONE PAT!!!!

Kings fans taking a blow torch to this trade idea
Temperature around the league for our young talent is not vey good. It’s easier to trade the unknown(draft picks) then it is to trade the already drafted unless they are performing above there heads. It’s like a car driven off the lot. Teams like to scout and pick their own players. We need to find teams that liked and shared the same qualities we did in our young talent predraft.