LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers was a big story of the offseason. He helped form a tremendous starting five in Philly, but that should not make people ignore what is happening with the Miami Heat.

They also had a superb summer, as they traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo. It might have been a big trade package, but it seems team president Pat Riley has retooled the roster to make them contenders in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James commends the Heat's offseason improvements

The Heat are one of the most hyped-up teams ahead of the 2026-27 season and for good reason. They have rejuvenated the roster after years of competing in and around the Play-In Tournament spots.

Now, they have a genuine superstar to pair with Bam Adebayo in Antetokounmpo. Riley has done a wonderful job retooling the roster around Antetokounmpo with good defenders and solid three-point shooters.

MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo loves what he is seeing from the Heat's chemistry during training camp

Of course, the Heat and the 76ers are being propped up as two of the best teams in the East. The New York Knicks are still the top dogs as the defending champions, but it seems James sees the Heat as one of the top teams heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

"It’s gonna be damn good... I think defensively they’re gonna be damn good. You look at Wiggins, Bam, Giannis, Davion Mitchell; they're gonna be damn good. You have Spo there; he knows how to put the pieces in position, in the right place," James said on his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash.

James brings up some great points that make the Heat such a dangerous team and why they were a compelling option for him to sign for in the summer. It is fair to have concerns about the offense and spacing, but it seems Riley has thought of that, so he has signed players who fit the system like Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr.

The Heat should be one of the toughest matchups for any team in the league. James knows it, so he is already praising them ahead of the season, but they will be big rivals when the 2026-27 campaign starts.

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