Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball past Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball past Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during a NBA game at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat

The Heat aren’t really the most fun team to think about in terms of best case/worst case. Ever since LeBron left town, they’ve had a consistent formula of “no huge stars, but a bunch of solid guys,” which has generally been good enough to compete in the East. They’re a low-variance team, and how far they get will depend on the little things.

First off, the big man situation ought to be interesting. Hassan Whiteside has always had highs and lows, but he became irrelevant within the Heat’s rotation. Whiteside probably isn’t worth the massive contract he was given during the 2016 salary cap frenzy, but he’s not trash either. Even with Bam Adebayo establishing himself as a key piece for the Heat, Whiteside should be able to reintegrate himself to the team this year, and give them a solid set of bigs.

With more solid play from the likes of Goran Dragic, and significant improvement from Justise Winslow, the Heat should be able to remain relevant in the East, and make D-Wade’s farewell tour one worth following.

Oh wait, this is another might-get-Jimmy-Butler team, isn’t it? Uh…it’d be good if they got Jimmy Butler.