If the fan base is hoping that the Miami Heat can avoid what appears to be a "gap" year for the franchise, there are a couple of ways that can happen. If the Heat are going to unexpectedly emerge as a contender this season, they're either going to need to find another undrafted gem or shockingly land another star player to raise their ceiling.
Thankfully, the Heat have been known to have a knack for pulling off such moves.
Whether they'll be able to do that again this season remains to be seen, but if there's any team in the NBA that has had a history of emerging as a surprise contender, it's been the Heat.