Can Miami take that final step to win a title?

Three seasons ago, the Miami Heat got all the way to the NBA Finals, coming within two games of taking home the fourth championship in franchise history, albeit in the COVID-19-related bubble in Orlando. Then, last year, they were within one game – and arguably one three-point attempt by star forward Jimmy Butler – from reaching the Finals again. Now, the team will look to take that final step and win a championship while Butler remains in his prime. The question is: Do they have enough as construed to get there? Because after this offseason, one in which they lost PJ Tucker to the conference rival Philadelphia 76ers without finding a replacement to start at power forward, there are questions about if the Heat have enough firepower for another deep playoff run.

Below, check out our season preview for the 2022-23 Heat.

Roster changes

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Returning: Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon, Caleb Martin, Udonis Haslem, Marcus Garrett, Gabe Vincent, Haywood Highsmith, Omer Yurtseven

Additions: Nikola Jovic (Mega Basket, Serbia), Jamaree Bouyea (San Francisco), Jamal Cain (Oakland), Orlando Robinson (Fresno State), Dru Smith (G League), Darius Days (LSU)

Subtractions: PJ Tucker, Markieff Morris, Javonte Smart, Mychal Mulder

Strengths

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

* Jimmy Butler has been one of the best players in the league since joining and is showing no signs of slowing down… Don’t believe us? How’s this: Since joining the Heat in 2019-20, Butler ranks fifth league-wide in total Win Shares (27.5), trailing only two perennial MVP contenders in Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert and James Harden. Change that to BPM and Butler still sits in the Top 10. And Value Over Replacement Player? Butler is seventh there out of all players. So even without a reliable three-pointer, Butler’s scoring, playmaking and defending make him a two-way force, one that…