Orlando Magic Daily
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Southeast Division offseason and outlook

By Zachary Bethel

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: Ernie Grunfeld and Scott Brooks help introduce Dwight Howard #21 of the Washington Wizards to the media during a press conference at the Capital One Arena on July 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 20: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat posts up C.J. McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game at American Airlines Arena on December 20, 2015 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat

The second coming of Dwyane Wade had the fan base in a fervor. He has helped maintain the “Miami Heat culture” that continues to see the team do just enough to make the Playoff.

But now with his impending retirement and the roster aging, the Heat’s “LeBron James hangover” might finally be reaching its peak. And the Heat are trying to find their best way forward.

As most of the division begins to acquire youth to continue their respective rebuilds — the Atlanta Hawks with Trae Young and John Collins, the Orlando Magic with Jonathan Isaac and Mohamed Bamba — the Miami Heat are in a different space. This is a team still trying to hold onto the past in many ways.

Center Bam Adebayo has gained the fans’ favor and seems to check out as a viable option to bet on for the Heat. But he is currently their only draft pick since Justise Winslow in 2015 on the roster. Miami has found itself behind in young roster development. And they have paid a pretty penny for veteran players like Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson, even if the Heat were responsible for unearthing them.

There are really only a handful of teams set up for title runs within the next few years. So as Miami delays its inevitable rebuild, other dismal Southeast franchises, and many throughout the rest of the Eastern Conference, will likely be contenders significantly sooner than Miami’s next potential title window.

At least Miami can enjoy the Playoff appearances. That is what the team is banking on as it keeps everything almost exactly the same.

Goran Dragic (31), Wayne Ellington (30),  James Johnson (31) and Udonis Haslem (37) all seem past their primes and on the wrong side of 30.

Though this in a vacuum is not terrible. This group combined with the Heat’s young established players — Justise Winslow (28), Kelly Olynyk (27), Dion Waiters (26) and Tyler Johnson (25) — is not exactly the guys you are counting on to support the franchise with in the future.

This is a group that has to win now. Especially with a pair of potential All-Stars in Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. But that team as gritty and tough as it might be is not scaring any of the major contenders in the Eastern Conference.

This is a win-now team with a low ceiling.

And though coach Eric Spoelstra has been able to hold it together, it feels as if the Heat’s stagnation will soon lead to a rebuild.

An impending rebuild seems right around the corner, but maybe Wade, and Miami, has another season left.