Miami Heat depth chart for 2021-22 NBA season

Author Photo
nba-plain--b810371d-2d21-4332-b0fa-50d931472441.jpeg

After a first-round exit last season, the Miami Heat pushed their chips into the middle of the table by adding several key veterans in the offseason as they look to contend for the title in 2021-22. 

Kyle Lowry, P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris give the Heat a talent upgrade in key positions, adding some toughness and experience to the "Heat culture."

Miami opens the season at home on Thursday, Oct. 21 against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Depth chart

Miami Heat depth chart (2021-22)
  Starters Second Third
PG Kyle Lowry Victor Oladipo* Gabe Vincent
SG Duncan Robinson Tyler Herro  
SF Jimmy Butler Max Strus KZ Okpala
PF P.J. Tucker Markieff Morris Udonis Haslem
C Bam Adebayo Dewayne Dedmon Omer Yurtseven

Two-way: Marcus Garrett (guard), Caleb Martin (forward)

Training camp/Exhibit 10: Micah Potter (center), Javonte Smart (guard), Dru Smith (guard), DJ Stewart (guard)

* On May 12, 2021, the Heat announced that there was no timetable for Oladipo's return after undergoing surgery on his right quadriceps tendon.

Key additions and subtractions

The Heat acquired Kyle Lowry from the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade, with Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa heading the other way.

In free agency, the Heat added P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris. They re-signed shooting guard Duncan Robinson to a five-year deal and brought back Victor Oladipo on a one-year minimum deal. Miami also re-signed Dewayne Dedmon, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.

Miami said goodbye to some experienced veterans in the offseason, losing Andre Iguodala, Nemanja Bjelica, Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn.

The Heat did not have a pick in the 2021 NBA Draft but brought in Micah Potter, Javonte Smart, Dru Smith and DJ Stewart on training camp deals and signed Marcus Garrett and Caleb Martin to two-way contracts.

Positional battles

Gabe Vincent will get the first shot at claiming the backup point guard minutes behind Kyle Lowry, but Victor Oladipo, who is set to return from a right quadriceps tendon injury as early as November, could force his way into those minutes.

Duncan Robinson inked a long-term deal in the summer and has cemented himself as the team's starting shooting guard, but Tyler Herro will provide plenty of competition at the two if he can take a leap in his third season. 

The other intriguing battle will be at power forward. With Bam Adebayo at center, the Heat have the flexibility to play small with P.J. Tucker at the four, but Markieff Morris offers them a bigger body without sacrificing spacing with his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter. 

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)
Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.