17. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are in an interesting situation. They acquired Jimmy Butler this summer, which, in theory, makes them a playoff team.
Along with Butler, they have Goran Dragic, Justise Winslow, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Herro, Meyers Leonard and Bam Adebayo. All of those guys are solid, but are they good enough to be difference makers in the playoffs? I’m not so sure.
Bulls fans know better than anyone that surrounding Jimmy Butler with role players doesn’t equate to lengthy playoff runs. He’s a phenomenal player, but he needs to be paired with another All-Star. Dragic is better than anyone the Bulls paired with Butler, but is he good enough? Probably not.
The Heat would’ve benefited from trading for Russell Westbrook, but they missed their chance to do that. Another guy they could look at is Chris Paul, but do they really want CP3 and his ridiculous contract on the books for the next three seasons?
Basically, unless some of the youngsters on the Heat develop into All-Star-caliber players, they won’t be going anywhere in the playoffs.