Injuries marred the Miami Heat’s 2023-24 campaign. As the eighth seed, they faced the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs and eventually lost in five games.
As they gear up for the new season, the team faces questions about the readiness of some of their top players, such as Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic. Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald recently revealed that Rozier and Jovic are in a better place and could fully participate in Miami’s upcoming training camp.
“Where I’m at right now is just about fully, fully, fully cleared to play 5-on-5,” Rozier said. “But I am doing every on-court activity, playing a little bit of 3-on-3. So I figure in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be graduating to 5-on-5. I feel great.”
“I would say I’m almost fully healthy,” Jovic said. “Of course, there’s a little ligament that still has to be 100 percent. They told me it would take a little bit more time, but it shouldn’t be an issue. Basically, I’m 100 percent.”
Jimmy Butler was also a key member of the Miami Heat who dealt with injuries last season, as he sustained a sprained MCL during their play-in game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 34-year-old swingman will earn roughly $49 million in 2024–25.
Staying healthy is the key for the Miami Heat
Miami president Pat Riley said he isn’t keen on handing out new lucrative deals easily due to his stars’ unavailability during his exit interviews a few months ago.
To Riley’s point, Butler hasn’t played more than 65 regular season games in a season with the Miami Heat. On the other hand, Tyler Herro only played 42 regular season games last season.
Miami acquired Terry Rozier before the trade deadline last season. However, he would miss the last 11 games, including the postseason, because of a neck injury, while Nikola Jovic sustained ankle and foot injuries this offseason.
The Miami Heat should focus on getting their stars healthy to make noise in the Eastern Conference.
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