Erik Spoelstra won't be taking the Eastern Conference's top roster into the 2025-26 NBA season. The way national pundits see it, the Miami Heat are nowhere close to that distinction. Admittedly, the franchise hasn't helped itself with mixed messaging about its motivation, as some moves lead you to believe the Heat sees this as a gap year, while others indicate the group is ready to go for it.
In a strange way, this might be how Miami prefers it. External expectations are effectively nonexistent, but you can bet internal beliefs are, as per usual, through the Kaseya Center roof.