NBA insider makes bold Heat prediction ahead of 2025-26 season

Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) celebrates with guard Tyler Herro (14) after Herro made a three-point basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat enter the 2025-26 campaign looking to surprise following back-to-back first-round playoff exits. 

While the team traded for Norman Powell to complement its core of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo this offseason, the Heat aren't expected to contend for a conference title, with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers standing in their way. 

The Heat have been a Play-In Tournament team each of the past three seasons, though they shocked the NBA in 2023 by advancing to the NBA Finals, where they fell to the Denver Nuggets. However, they’ll now compete without Jimmy Butler in a full season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. 

MORE: Heat fall again, but Ware continues to impress in preseason

Heat predicted to make significant noise in 2025-26

Despite Herro's foot injury, which is expected to sideline him until at least mid-November, the Heat have the pieces to stay competitive until the All-Star returns. On a recent episode of The Hoop Collective, ESPN's Tim Bontemps offered a bold assessment of Miami's standing in the East.

“I think the Heat are better this year than they were last year,” he said. “Tyler Herro is going to be out for a little while with the foot injury, but I would bet on them to be better. And if they are right, I think they've got a chance to be in the mix to finish in the top four in the East — just like I think Detroit does.”

With Achilles injuries sidelining Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton for the foreseeable future, the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers could face down seasons. That alone opens a slightly easier path for Miami to climb the standings. 

Alongside Herro, Adebayo, Powell and Andrew Wiggins, the Heat have multiple young players who could take another leap. In particular, Kel’el Ware, who earned an NBA All-Rookie Second Team nod last season, and Nikola Jovic, aiming to return to full strength after another injury-plagued season, could provide a spark. 

The Heat have surprised the league before, and the Eastern Conference appears to have a bit more wiggle room this season. While a top-four finish would be ambitious given the rising Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks, it wouldn't be surprising to see Miami avoid the Play-In Tournament.

More NBA news:

• Hornets' Kon Knueppel draws praise from ex-Duke teammate Cooper Flagg
• NBA insider delivers bleak prediction for Suns ahead of 2025-26 campaign
• Kevin Durant gets real about potential reunion with Russell Westbrook
• Lakers' Austin Reaves praises Bronny James amid preseason struggles
• Cavaliers trade proposal sends Jarrett Allen to Eastern Conference foe