To be named world champion and elevate Larry O’Brien, a team must go through a dangerous regular season and playoffs with a strong roster from top to bottom.
Depth and versatility at positions like forward and center have troubled the Miami Heat in recent years, but they appear to have focused on the players they need this season.
With the addition of Thomas Bryant via free agency, Jaime Jaquez Jr.
in the NBA draft and a guaranteed contract for Haywood Highsmith, the Heat went all in.
These three players represent some of Miami’s most underrated players, with the potential to make an immediate impact and help the Heat be crowned champions.
The depth Miami has needed at center for most of the franchise’s history.
With power forward Bam Adebayo taking over the starting role, they need to bring in a guy who can protect the rim and impact the offense.
In Bryant, Miami welcomes a player who has played for 3 teams in 7 seasons and just won an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets.
Since his college days at Indiana, Bryant has possessed high motor skills and the ability to run on the ground.
He can make an impact on championship-minded teams as well as lottery teams.
The Heat pride themselves on the versatility of their players and Bryant fits that mold perfectly.
He will be able to play behind Adebayo, helping the offense get on the floor in a five-quarter attack, or even play alongside Adebayo in some lineups.
Heat fans have mixed feelings about selecting Jaime Jaquez Jr.
with the 18th overall pick in June.
Some people believe that Jaquez is a rookie and not ready to make an immediate impact.
Others simply see him as fodder in the Damian Lillard trade.
Regardless, these comments sell Jaquez short.
Jaquez played at a high level for four seasons with the UCLA Bruins, making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Jaquez has a professional-level body, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 225 pounds.
He knows how to use his body to get into scoring position and is an underrated passer.
The biggest strength he has on defense is simply his willingness to defend.
He has quick hands that can lead to deflections, but that may not come into play early in his NBA career.
With a player like Jimmy Butler in his ear, Jaquez could take over, becoming the playmaker for an offense that likes to create off-ball stops and drive through the paint.
It may take some patience, but Jaquez could contribute in April’s draft.
In classic Miami Heat style, a former unknown could become a key player.
The Heat have extended Haywood Highsmith three Exhibit-10 contracts through the 2020-21 season.
He eventually received a three-year contract, which will end after this season.
Highsmith’s averages were not outstanding, posting 4.
4 points and 3.
5 rebounds in 54 regular season games last year.
But the fact that Highsmith has embraced the Heat’s culture and is a versatile piece that Spoelstra can move around the lineup should increase his chances of earning more playing time this season.
Highsmith has long arms (a leg span of nearly 7 feet) that help him rebound and deflect.
He’s a team player who likes to make the right plays, whether it’s setting up multiple screens or diving for a loose ball to trigger a fast break.
The Heat are hoping his 3-point shooting will improve with more confidence now that he has been in the system for several years.
If Highsmith takes a big step forward this season, it could pay huge dividends for the Heat.