1 Obvious and 2 interesting lineup changes the Heat could now utilize

Coach Erik Spoelstra has now been forced to utilize some of his depth early on, with one obvious and two intriguing options to be added to the Heat’s lineup.
(Photo via Imagn Images)

With Tyler Herro’s absence to create a glaring hole in the Miami Heat’s lineup, coach Erik Spoelstra’s depth will be put to the test early.

It could be clear that core guys like Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo will instantly receive some added scoring pressure. But that still leaves a positional hole within the starters, which was expected to be penciled in as Herro, Powell, Andrew Wiggins, Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.

There are a few different routes that Spoelstra could go here. Does he run with a defensive minded group? Does he try to make up for Herro’s missing playmaking ability? Maybe a combination of both?

There are several players capable of providing some of those necessary skill sets on each side of the floor. However, deciphering which ones are actually starter material makes Spoelstra’s decision a bit easier— granted no hidden gems earn their way in emerging a bigger role come training camp.

Let’s discuss the most obvious starting unit insertion, and a pair of wildcard options to help hold it down until Herro makes his lineup return.

Obvious: Davion Mitchell

Heat Twitter everywhere is already viewing Davion Mitchell as a lock to fill in at PG1 duties temporarily. And it makes plenty of sense.

Mitchell won over the organization and entire fanbase with his encouraging two-way play after his midseason trade arrival. He averaged career-high’s in scoring, assists, steals and shooting efficiency in his first half-season stint in Miami. Additionally, Mitchell was a huge reason why the Heat became the first 10th seed to advance into the postseason out of the play-in tournament last season.

His lockdown point-of-attack defense and improved playmaking offensively make him a perfect role player to have— whether it’s stepping in with the starters or off the bench.

Interesting: Nikola Jovic

Now if Mitchell is the clear favorite to fill in at point guard for the injured Herro, the Heat will unavoidably lose some offensive creation no matter what. That’s where a player like Nikola Jovic could get his opportunity to rejoin the starting unit.

Jovic turned heads with his Fiba play this summer with the Euro Basket. He is a true x-factor on this roster primed for a long overdue leap to his game.

Granted Mitchell remains a lock to join the starters, could Spoelstra lean into moving Adebayo back to the center position and demote Ware to the backup big to make room for Jovic?

Ware’s rookie emergence and paint presence seems hard to envision going to the bench, but if the Heat show clear signs of rough offense— Jovic is the guy that can be thrown into the fire to make things happen with the ball in his hands.

Interesting: Terry Rozier??

This one could be a reach, but it’s at least a reach that makes some sense.

Despite being on the trade block, and the Heat even showing interest in a buyout— they could ultimately end up needing Terry Rozier now. He could still make an impression at training camp to fill in for some offensive firepower in Herro’s absence.

This is a lineup change that would only come at the cost of having Mitchell remain in a bench role. If Rozier can channel his prime “Scary Terry” self, he arguably has no better chance to do so than when the Heat are down a crucial scoring talent in the backcourt.

Rozier could finally bounce back and attempt to resurrect his Heat career, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Even if it seems unlikely.

1 Obvious and 2 interesting lineup changes the Heat could now utilize

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