The Miami Heat have a real chance to surprise folks during the 2025-26 NBA season. Now, that's partly due to the relative lack of expectations for this team, but it's also a belief built around real, tangible excitement for a young core that impressed all offseason.
Pelle Larsson had a sensational summer. Nikola Jovic starred at EuroBasket. Kel'el Ware looked unstoppable in the preseason. All three, plus first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, figured to play a massive part in Miami surprising all the skeptics this season.
During Miami's season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic, though, coach Erik Spoelstra opted to lean heavily on a veteran core that, frankly, is a big part of why expectations aren't any higher for this team.