Miami Heat: 3 crucial X-factors for the 2021-22 NBA season
By Dalton Sell
The Miami Heat are certainly an interesting team entering the 2021-22 NBA season.
Following a beatdown at the hands of the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs, they went out and made several notable moves in the offseason. Not only did they get extensions done with Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson, but they also landed arguably the biggest fish on the market in a sign-and-trade for six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry. They also made a handful of other moves, some of which will be discussed in a few moments.
According to the yearly survey done by NBA general managers, 47 percent of the GMs believe the Heat had the best offseason in the association. The vote was not particularly close either, as the Los Angeles Lakers came in second place with 17 percent, and the Brooklyn Nets earned seven percent of the votes. It seems as if the general managers are high on this retooled Miami team, and they could certainly make a run next season with several newcomers ready to contribute.
The Miami Heat seem like a genuine Eastern Conference contender next season, but they still have some question marks.
The Heat undeniably improved this offseason, with some believing that they could compete with the Bucks and Brooklyn Nets to come out of the Eastern Conference. On paper, that is feasible, but there are still some uncertainties on the roster that could ultimately hold them back from reaching the mountain top. If they will redeem themselves after an embarrassing close to last season, here are three X-factors that will be pivotal in the 2021-22 season.