Grading every Miami Heat player after 25 games - Hot Hot Hoops

Miami Heat (Mandatory Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

We have officially reached the 25-game territory in the 2025-26 Miami Heat season! There has been great, good, bad and ugly for the Heat, who are currently 14-11 and in the middle of a four-game skid. With that said, let’s put on the professor hat and hand out some grades for each Miami Heat player through 25 games!

Bam Adebayo:

Skinny: The start of last season was a step back defensively from Adebayo’s standards. That hasn’t been the case to start 2025-26. Adebayo’s played like one of the best defenders in the sport through 25 games. Offensively, he’s shooting more 3-pointers — with mixed results — though his finishing has positively regressed after a down season in 2024-25.

Grade: A–

Simone Fontecchio:

Skinny: Fontecchio got off to a red-hot start, but has cooled down over his last 11 games. He’s a 3-point specialist; when he’s not making threes, he doesn’t do much else that brings tangible value. He’s one of the Heat’s true volume shooters, so his 3-point efficiency will be important to monitor throughout the season.

Grade: B–

Tyler Herro:

Skinny: Herro missed the first 17 games due to foot surgery. It’s difficult to evaluate his first six games. On one hand, he’s averaging 23.2 points on good efficiency. On the other hand, his playmaking has been objectively bad — it’s clear he needs more ball screens to be an effective passer — while his point-of-attack defense has been even worse.

Grade: C+

Kasparas Jakucionis:

N/A

Jaime Jaquez Jr.:

Skinny: Few have benefited more from the Heat’s new fast-paced offense more than Jaquez. He hasn’t been as impactful over his last six games due to dealing with a groin injury. But he’s still averaging 15.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and five assists on 51.2 percent shooting and 56.5 percent true shooting on the season.

Grade: B+

Keshad Johnson:

Skinny: Keshad! He blossomed in his first real opportunity with the Heat this season, scoring 14 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks on Nov. 21 against the Chicago Bulls, followed by a pair of four- and seven-point efforts against the 76ers and Mavericks, respectively. In a limited role, he’s an impactful player. Though it’s been an uphill climb to garner any sort of minutes.

Grade: C+

Nikola Jovic:

Skinny: It’s been a disappointing season for Jovic. Growth isn’t always linear, but the 6-foot-10 wing hasn’t shot the ball well nor has he fit into the Heat’s new offense. He’s a better on-ball defender than he gets credit for, and he’s had moments getting downhill off closeouts. But he hasn’t been efficient nor impactful — nowhere near the level he was heading into the season.

Grade: D

Skinny: If I had a dime for every time Pelle Larsson got hit in the face, I’d be rich! OK, maybe not rich, but it would be a healthy sum of money. The second-year guard has done well in a larger role this season as one of the Heat’s best connectors, cutters and on-ball defenders.

Grade: B-

Davion Mitchell:

Skinny: You could argue that Davion Mitchell is one of the Heat’s three- or four-most important players right now. The 6-foot guard is averaging 9.8 points and 7.8 assists on 51.1 percent shooting and 39.3 percent from 3-point range. His point-of-attack defense is invaluable, while his playmaking has been a huge boost to a Heat offense that desperately needed it.

Grade: A-

Norman Powell:

Skinny: It’s been a treat watching Powell blossom in his first season with Miami. It hasn’t all been perfect; turn off the final 18 minutes of Tuesday’s game. But Powell is playing at a fringe All-Star level, averaging 24.6 points and 43.6 percent from 3-point range. For the most part, his defense has been solid and he’s jelled with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. He’s arguably Miami’s most malleable player not named Bam Adebayo.

Grade: A

Dru Smith:

Skinny: It continues to blow my mind how well Smith is moving despite coming off multiple season-ending knee injuries over the four years. Smith’s efficiency has tailed off of late. But he’s still been an impactful player off the Heat bench because of his disruptiveness defensively and smart decision-making.

Grade: B-

Kel’el Ware:

Skinny: It’s been a roller coaster first 25 games for Ware; his highs are very high, and his lows are very low. While his motor has been better this season, Ware is still navigating through the pace and nuances on the court, which has led to some struggles (which is OK!!). I’ve loved his vertical spacing and his activity on the glass the last 15 or so games.

Grade: B+

Andrew Wiggins:

Skinny: Wiggins is at his best when he’s doing all the dirty work — particularly attacking the offensive glass and defending the opposing team’s best wing. His decision-making has been … inconsistent, as has his efficiency, even though he’s shooting 37.9 percent from 3-point range on 4.7 triple tries per game.

Grading every Miami Heat player after 25 games – Hot Hot Hoops

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