Miami Heat fans have already begun envisioning what their team’s lineup could look like next season after the potential acquisition of Damian Lillard. As most of us should be aware, this NBA offseason has been filled with trade rumors and discussions regarding the potential departure of Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. This is only after having shown loyalty to the franchise for more than a decade.
While NBA stars switching teams is no new phenomenon in the NBA, Lillard generated quite a lot of attention because he made it clear that he wishes to join no other team but the Miami Heat. After all, pairing him up with certified stars such as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo should be a recipe for success.
However, there will still be two other roster spots available for the starting 5. With that being said, let us take a closer look at which players Heat fans think will get a starting spot on the roster next season.
Will the Miami Heat include Haywood Highsmith on the roster alongside Damian Lillard?
Although the Heat has proven to have several valuable players on their roster with their last postseason run, one name stands out in particular. While the majority of the basketball community might not be able to recall much about Haywood Highsmith, the general consensus amongst fans is that he will be given a chance to start on the roster alongside Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Damian Lillard, and Tyler Herro.
Man that Dame-Herro-Jimmy-Bam offense with Erik Spoelstra orchestrating is going to change lives
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) September 18, 2023
To those who do not know much about Haywood, he managed to make his presence felt for the Heat during stretches of their most recent trip to the NBA Finals. Highsmith even scored 18 points in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
Since he certainly has the potential to be a starter on the team, many fans believe that he will fit in well along with the other Heat stars. Under the assumption that the team is able to get Lillard, this starting 5 would undoubtedly be talented enough to win an NBA championship.
Despite the fact that all of this sounds good on paper, many fans already know that keeping Herro on the squad is almost impossible if the Heat acquire Tyler Herro. Therefore, another vacant spot on the starting 5 will have to be filled with players who won’t be included in a trade for him.
Dame-Herro-Butler-Highsmith-Bam starting lineup
— XANDER (@actionxander) September 18, 2023
Perhaps another start could be Caleb Martin or Duncan Robinson. In any case, we look forward to seeing what kind of team Erik Spoelstra manages to organize next season as the Heat look to make the NBA Finals once more.
