The Miami Heat’s front office already made the biggest move of the offseason by acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, but their work is far from finished.

Miami landed the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who remains a superstar who can single-handedly change the direction of a franchise. Antetokounmpo gives the Heat a new centerpiece beside Bam Adebayo and instantly raises their ceiling in the Eastern Conference race. 

The Heat also tried to bring LeBron James back to Miami, but he ultimately chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving Miami to fill out the rest of its roster in a different way.

What the Heat do next will be crucial as they still have three available roster spots and a clear need for more help on the perimeter. As currently built, the strength of the team is obvious. Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins give Miami a strong defensive foundation, with several players capable of guarding at an All-Defense level. The Heat should be difficult to score against, especially with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo protecting the paint and covering so much ground with their versatility and athleticism.

The concern though is on the other end of the floor.

Miami’s current group does not have enough shooting or playmaking around its two big stars. Mitchell gives them a strong point of attack defender, but shooting and playmaking are not his strongest areas. Tim Hardaway Jr. can help as a shooter, but he is more limited in the other parts of his game. Nikola Jovic, Bobby Portis, Simone Fontecchio, Pelle Larsson, and Dru Smith are expected to see notable minutes this coming season too, but the Heat still need more perimeter players who can make the game easier for Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.

The Heat have reportedly been connected to former All-Stars DeMar DeRozan, Klay Thompson, Bradley Beal, and Russell Westbrook. All four are in the later stages of their careers, with DeRozan and Thompson both 36, Beal 33, and Westbrook 37, so expectations have to be realistic at this point. Miami is not looking for another franchise player at this stage. It needs the right veterans who can fill specific gaps and want to win above all else.

Thompson and Beal are cleaner fits because of their shooting. Antetokounmpo is at his best when surrounded by players who can punish defenses for collapsing into the paint. Adebayo also benefits from space around him, especially when operating as a passer and short-roll decision-maker. More reliable shooters on the roster would give Miami’s offense more room to breathe.

Meanwhile, DeRozan and Westbrook would answer a different need. Both can create offense and help with playmaking, which Miami also lacks. The question is whether their ball-dominant styles and limited three-point shooting would crowd the floor too much beside Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. They could help in stretches, but the fit is less straightforward and may ultimately cap this team’s ceiling.

The financial structure also shows how committed Miami already is to this new core. Antetokounmpo is set to make $58.5 million in 2026-27, while Adebayo is at $49.5 million and Wiggins is at $30.2 million. 

At the very least, Miami already has the hardest part figured out. It has Antetokounmpo, Adebayo, and a defensive identity that should translate immediately. Now, the Heat need to fill their last three roster spots wisely. If they can add enough shooting and playmaking, this roster could become a legitimate contender in the East, becoming the type of team that locks down opponents and is just enough of a threat on offense to eke out low-scoring wins.