Miami Heat Rumors: Projected win total around 45 games

Jun 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; General view of the Miami Heat logo on the court during the first quarter of game two of the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; General view of the Miami Heat logo on the court during the first quarter of game two of the 2013 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Heat lost LeBron James this summer but they moved quickly to replace him with the likes of Luol Deng, Danny Granger and others in free agency.

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But the question now that LeBron is gone isn’t if the team is going to replace LeBron James with free agent spare parts, it’s how many games will they win now that their King has left what amounted to be his vacation castle?

According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, the Heat won’t be as bad as people might think without LeBron James, but they’re not going to be blowing opponents away like they used to as the team figures to win around 45 games this upcoming season.

"I think this Heat team, with its questions and center and with its limited depth, looks somewhere between 43 and 45 wins. Any higher number will not come down to Spoelstra as much as it would to Dwyane Wade and his availability. The Heat can only push for wins as hard as Wade is able/willing to push."

This is pretty fair, as it would put the Heat at a 45-37 record which is just far enough above average to feel right but not too high of a win total either. Miami won’t be the same team they were in the past, and coasting through the season isn’t an option anymore, but the playoffs are a very realistic goal and it’s looking like the third seed in the East is probable for Miami.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.