The National Basketball Association is less than two weeks away, and it is once again time to preview every NBA franchise. I will be covering the teams in the Eastern Conference and my colleague, Joel Beatton, will feature teams in the Western Conference. Today we are featuring the Miami Heat.
Key Acquisition
The most notable acquisition for the Heat in the offseason was shooting guard Alec Burks of Grandview, Missouri. He is joining his eighth franchise following time with the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. Burks signed a one-year deal worth $3.3 million.
This past season, Burks averaged 10.4 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game, and 1.3 assists per game with the Knicks and Pistons. He had a field goal percentage of .369, three point percentage of .376, and a free throw percentage of .868.
Fantasy Star
Bam Adebayo of Newark, New Jersey is ranked sixth among centers. The three-time All-Star averaged 19.3 points per game, 10.4 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game, along with a field goal percentage of .521, free throw percentage of .755, and three point percentage of .357. Adebayo had career highs in rebounds per game, three point percentage, total rebounds (737), defensive rebounds (578), and three points made (15).
Projected Finish
This is starting to become a veteran group. In addition to Burks, who is 33 years old, are 36-year-old Kevin Love, and 35-year-old Jimmy Butler. Miami finished second in the Southeast Division last year, and expect them to finish second in the Southeast Division this year, only behind their Florida state rivals, the Orlando Magic.
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