The Miami Heat enter the 2018-19 season very similarly to how they entered last season. The big news in South Beach is that Dwyane Wade is back for “One Last Dance,” but the same questions about the roster remain, as it’s the exact same group that got handed a first-round exit by the Sixers in last year’s playoffs.
Aside from the saga of Wade re-signing, the biggest question for the Heat this offseason has been whether they would deal Hassan Whiteside or someone else to try and shuffle around the roster. The answer to that has been no, as Whiteside, Erik Spoelstra, and Pat Riley insist they’re on the same page entering the season, despite the somewhat disastrous end to last year with the star center airing his grievances publicly about his minutes.
The one piece they’ll add that wasn’t a part of last year’s playoff roster is Dion Waiters, as he works his way back from ankle surgery back in January. However, he won’t be there for training camp and is unlikely to make it back to the team for the start of the season, as Pat Riley told reporters on Tuesday.
Per Pat Riley: “Dion Waiters, who is currently rehabbing from foot surgery, will not be available when the team begins training camp on Sept. 25th and is also unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season on Oct. 17th … (1/2)"
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 18, 2018
Per Pat Riley (2/2): "… Dion will not be returning to the court until the HEAT medical team and training staff deem him healed, rehabbed and physically conditioned for all basketball activities.”
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 18, 2018
Waiters, who received a handsome 4-year, $48 million deal last summer, regressed in his 30 games played last year from a career year in 2016-17 that saw him earn that contract. The Heat need him to get back to that form if they are to take a step forward, considering the roster remains the same, but he’ll be working from behind to get into game shape and form as the season begins.
