NBA Finals: The winners and losers from the bubble championship

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NBA Miami Heat Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn and Jimmy Butler (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Winner: The Miami Heat

Nobody predicted that the Miami Heat would be in the Finals this season. If they were, you would say: “okay, maybe if they sign Giannis Antetokounmpo or [insert superstar free agent], then they’ll get in the conversation.”

Not with rookie Tyler Herro and second-year player Duncan Robinson as key pieces. Not with Bam Adebayo as the starting center, not with an aging Goran Dragic as their starting point guard, and most of all, not with that second-tier superstar Jimmy Butler who just complained his way out of a third team to come to South Beach.

But yes, this Miami team made it and now they’re in pole position to reap the rewards.

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported:

"“Front office executives around the league believe the Heat have become the league’s top destination for the next star with a wandering eye. Maybe it will be a free agent. Or maybe a player under contract who will seek a trade in 2021, since the Heat has good young players who could be traded in addition to first-round picks in 2025, 2026, and 2027.”"

Whether Miami sits still this offseason and brings the band back or swings for the fences, moving for a superstar, basketball is in a very good spot in South Beach.