Heat opening night: What to know about 2024 team
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Jimmy Butler is ready to flex as he enters a contract year. Photo: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
If you're moping over the Dolphins, we're pleased to inform you it's finally basketball season.
- The Heat tip off the 2024 NBA season tonight against the Orlando Magic at the Kaseya Center (7:30pm, Fanduel Sports Network Sun. Tickets start at $29)
Why it matters: The Heat have made the playoffs five straight years, including two trips to the NBA Finals, though injuries and failed superstar signings hampered their championship prospects.
Catch up quick: Miami is coming off a disappointing first-round exit in last year's playoffs, which Jimmy Butler missed with an MCL injury.
- Injuries limited the star trio of Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to just 27 games together last season, per the Miami Herald.
Over the past two summers, Miami has lost starters Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus to free agency.
- During that same stretch, the Heat tried unsuccessfully to sign superstars Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan, per multiple reports.
- This summer, their Eastern Conference rivals signed stars Paul George (76ers), Karl Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges (Knicks).
Now starting: The Herald reports that 20-year-old Nikola Jovic is expected to replace Martin at power forward.
- Herro and Terry Rozier would start at guard, with Butler and Adebayo rounding out the front court alongside Jovic.
The intrigue: Butler, who turned 35 last month, is expected to become a free agent next summer in the hopes of signing a new contract, the Miami Herald reports.
- Butler has played over 60 games only once during his five years in Miami and team president Pat Riley has said the Heat want "somebody who's going to be there and available every single night."
What we're watching: Will contract talk provide Butler extra motivation to lead Miami to another playoff run?
- "I guess I got to go out there and I got to hoop," Butler told reporters. "I got to prove I'm a major part of winning, and rightfully so. I've done it before."