Midfielder reborn! Without Butler, where are the Heat s goals?

Butler, the team's mainstay for the past five and a half seasons, was sent to Golden State. The transaction chips included: Wiggins, Devin Mitchell, Lee Kyle and a protected first-round pick.

With a precise cut, Riley grasped the Warriors' eagerness to strengthen, which not only left salary space for the team, but also opened a window for future layout. It's just that the man who overturned powerful opponents in the playoffs has really left.

After the Warriors acquired Butler, they were on full fire. They went 16-2 and their defensive efficiency soared to second place in the league. They once returned to the championship. On the other hand, the Heat lost ten consecutive games after losing their core. After struggling to enter the playoffs, they were swept by the Cavaliers by 122 points.

The data is cruel and realistic:

The Heat without Butler are stable enough, but not tenacious enough.

So, Riley chose to start over, but his goal is not now, but more likely to be in the free market in the summer of 2026 and 2027.

After an offseason, the Heat lineup has undergone a lot of changes. The 32-year-old Powell averaged 21.8 points per game with the Clippers last season. In the past five years, his three-point shooting rate has been as high as 41.7%. He is an efficient outside shooter.

He missed the All-Star last season and took over the offensive power with the Heat in the new season. He has every chance to make his All-Star appearance in the Clippers' new arena in Los Angeles in 2026. And if he can make his appearance in his old home court, it will be considered a very popular revenge drama.

Powell's current contract expires in 2026, which also means that if the Heat start the season poorly, the shooter is likely to become a trading chip for Riley. From a short-term perspective, his contract extension will take up the firepower gap caused by Hiero's absence; from a long-term perspective, he is also a potentially high-priced asset.

In addition to Powell, Achiuwa is also back.

This big man, who was personally selected by the Heat that year, returned to the South Coast in circles. Although he is not a star, he is exactly the role that this team lacks most: he does not occupy the ball, can grab rebounds, and can also take care of switching defenses and protecting the frame. He may not be able to become the first offensive option, but his role happens to be a high-quality alternative that makes the Heat's defensive system more complete.

Following this, the Heat selected 19-year-old Lithuanian point guard Jakukins with the first-round pick obtained in the Butler trade.

195 height + 203 wingspan, coupled with excellent vision and passing ability, the outside stability also needs to be improved. From Riley's perspective, he obviously hopes that the newcomer can become a future partner next to Herro.

Among the original team members, the team successfully reached contract extensions with many people. Jovic, Devin Mitchell, Keshad Johnson, Drew Smith and others successfully stayed on the team. The team's total salary is 188 million, which is strictly controlled under the first-tier hard cap. There is a chance to clear nearly 80 million in space next summer.

In addition to players, from a team perspective, what needs special attention is the Heat's data gap before and after the Butler trade last season:

Before the trade, the record was 25 wins and 24 losses (51% winning rate), offensive efficiency was 113.5, defensive efficiency was 112.9, and the net win-loss value was +0.6;

After the trade, the record was 12 wins and 19 losses. (Winning rate 39%), offensive efficiency 110.9, defensive efficiency 114.5, net win-3.6:

Especially the performance at critical moments, in the last five minutes of the game and the score difference was within five points, the Heat's net offensive and defensive efficiency was -15.3; obviously, without Butler, it is difficult for the Heat to find a second person to end the game. Although Herro once played a bright spot, he is still far behind the team leader.

Considering that next summer, the contracts of Powell, Wiggins and others in the Heat are about to expire, releasing a total of more than 10 million yuan in space. Coupled with potential buyouts, the team can free up a lot of space.

But the question is, who needs to spend this space?

Looking at the free market in 2026, most stars have already renewed their contracts with their home teams. Although Trae Young, Harden, LaVine and others have player options, they will most likely choose to implement them; George, Porridge and others have great injury risks. Overall, the biggest player on the market is likely to be the veteran James.

Faced with such a group of stars, old and old, injured and contracted, Riley seems to be waiting for an opportunity, but he may not be able to wait for his favorite choice. In comparison, the Heat's hopes for the new season still depend to a large extent on the players on the team. Among the core team, Kyle Weir and Jovic are two young talents that deserve special attention.

Especially combined with the Eastern Conference pattern in the new season, the Celtics, Pacers, and Bucks have suffered heavy injuries. The Cavaliers, Knicks, and Magic are young enough and are the top four favorites in the new season. In the middle and late positions, the 76ers, Bucks, Eagles, and Pistons are also entrenched. Under such a pattern, the Heat seem to be competitive, but it seems difficult to achieve a stable advantage.

Generally speaking, for the Heat's 2025-26 season, their task is not mainly about record, but more about continuing the line of lineup reshaping. They need to cultivate new players and maintain the team's cultural system.

The play-offs and even the playoffs are still within reach, it just depends on whether they can complete it.

For the first season after Butler left,

The Heat may no longer be hot, but their flame has not been completely extinguished.

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