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Miami Heat: The 2018 NBA offseason summary and recap

By Jacob Doole

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat talks with Hassan Whiteside #21 in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat talks with Hassan Whiteside #21 in the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Two of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Looking back at what the Miami Heat did right and wrong during the 2018 NBA offseason, including the draft and free agency

Despite being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Miami Heat have had an amazingly quiet offseason. In fact, their summer can be captured best by what they didn’t do rather than what they did.

They were unable to force their way into the LeBron James conversation, as he quickly ruled out a return to South Beach by signing with the Lakers. They were reportedly interested in Carmelo Anthony, but were spurned by him as well.

And, perhaps most importantly, they are yet to trade Hassan Whiteside after a tumultuous end to his season. In fact, Heat president Pat Riley insisted last week that they weren’t even considering moving Whiteside, despite his public issues with the team.

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His season ended in less-than-ideal circumstances, as he spent much of the playoffs anchored to the bench and openly complained about his playing time and role. Just months later, though, it sounds like he and the team have turner over a new leaf.

ESPN reported that Whiteside, Riley and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had a long meeting to air out their differences, leaving Whiteside optimistic about the coming season. He told reporters during the week:

"We had a great talk. I just think it’s trust on both sides. I think that’s the biggest thing… It was about a four-hour meeting. It was a lot about life. It was two hours basketball, two hours life. It was a good meeting."

It’s hard to know how happy Whiteside really is, but it looks like this might be another in a long line of victories for Riley and Spoelstra, who always seem to get the best out of their players no matter the circumstances.

This might even be their best effort yet. After all, the relationship with Whiteside seemed almost irredeemable, as he openly criticised the franchise and showed signs of frustration during games. Returning the star big man to his best would make this a successful offseason for the Heat.

Outside of their meetings with Whiteside, the front office have been very restrained this summer. Miami had no picks in the draft, and have yet to add any new players in free agency.

Of their players out of contract, only Dwyane Wade had a consistent place in the rotation. It’s hard to imagine him leaving South Beach after only returning midway through last season.

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Unless they can swing a trade in the coming weeks, it looks like the Miami Heat will return with the same core next season. While that won’t be enough to see them contend for a championship, an improved year from Whiteside might see them climb a few rungs in the East.

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