A rebuilt reputation
One of the biggest things that have changed for the Heat organization over the last 12 months is its rebuilt reputation. Roughly 12 months ago, the Heat was in NBA purgatory. They were not good enough to make the playoffs and weren’t bad enough to earn a high enough lottery spot to move the needled.
Their salary cap situation was a mess and they had no real assets on the roster. However, in less than a year, that has all changed. Over the summer, they improved their salary cap sheet, traded for a legit star in Jimmy Butler and added to their asset cabinet.
Now, the Heat has another budding star in Bam Adebayo and, after letting go of Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, and James Johnson will actually have the ability to be players in free agency this offseason if they so elect to.
Plus, the reputation around this franchise has almost changed on a dime. The Heat is winning again and will quickly become a trending landing spot for upcoming free agents and disgruntled stars in the not-too-distant future.