The Numbers Expose Miami's Thin Margin

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Tuesday, September 29

The Heat are 0-0 with preseason opening October 3 at Toronto, but the numbers already tell a story: $210.5 million in salary above the first apron, a two-time MVP who logged only 36 games last season, and a reserve forward shooting far above his career norm in a small sample. None of it settles anything until the games start counting.

The Bill

Miami carries $210.5 million in salary, above the $200.4 million tax threshold and above the first apron. Giannis Antetokounmpo's $58.5 million, Bam Adebayo's $49.8 million, Andrew Wiggins' $30.2 million player option and Nikola Jovic's $16.2 million make up the core of it. Spending at that level closes off the trade market and the buyout market alike once the season starts.

Giannis Sample

Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season, but across only 36 games. That workload, not the per-game average, is the real number Spoelstra has to plan around heading into his debut season in Miami.

Middle Ground

Last season's team finished 43-39 with a net rating of 2.1, ranking 12th on offense and 13th on defense at a pace of 104.2. Those figures describe a competent, unremarkable club, not the group Miami wants people expecting in 2026-27.

Small Sample

Simone Fontecchio posted a 70.8 percent true shooting mark over his final 10 games last season, a sharp jump from his season-long number. Ten games settles nothing on its own, but it is the kind of efficiency Miami needs from its bench scoring.

Bottom Line

Myron Gardner and Ryan Conwell are both sidelined entering camp's final week, each with an estimated return of October 1. Preseason opens October 3 at Toronto, and Miami has less than a week left to find real answers instead of numbers on a page.

Is Miami over the luxury tax this season?

Yes. The team's $210.5 million in salary sits above both the $200.4 million tax threshold and the first apron.

How many games did Giannis Antetokounmpo play last season?

He played 36 games, averaging 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists.