NBA: Preseason Ranking for the Eastern Conference

11. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are a team with some questions to answer. For the first time in 13 years, Miami will trot out a roster that does not consist of Dwyane Wade.

Yes, Wade is in the latter stage of his career, but the Heat and Wade were synonymous for so long. The fact that the Heat opted to let Wade depart means they are lacking a huge veteran presence.

Miami is a franchise in transition. Wade is gone, and Hassan Whiteside received a massive max deal in the offseason. Can Whiteside take him game to the next level? Is he worthy of the max deal that he received? Those are questions that will play out as the season (and the seasons that follow) transpires.

Miami also retained Tyler Johnson, who signed a $50 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets.

For the Heat, Justise Winslow will continue to be their most intriguing young player. Winslow’s development is key for Miami moving forward. But for this season, will the loss of Wade — both his performance and his mere presence — be insurmountable? We’ll see.

Yes, the Heat retained some of their young players, but they lost an icon in the process. The Heat are going with more of a youth movement, and it may pay off for them. But for the first time in a long time, the Heat will go to battle without Dwyane Wade.

Those Heat vs. Bulls matchup’s will sure be fun to watch.

Next: No. 10