The Miami Heat are believed to be in a position to use their asset pool and how appealing they are to All-Stars across the league to acquire one in the near future.

"Miami is always in great position because, especially if it's players with not a lot left on their contract," said Adrian Wojnarowski before Miami's loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1. "One year or two years. And they tell their team, 'I want a trade to the Heat, and if you don't send me to the Heat, I'm going to become a free agent and go somewhere else. Don't trade me to that team or that team.'

"Teams can still decide to send you where they want to send you, but it's always an advantage for Miami. Players want to be part of that organization. So I think Miami will be in a position again to use the assets they have to get another All-Star level player that maybe connects more on the timeline of Bam Adebayo and his age."

While Wojnarowski didn't specifically mention any names, one player who appears to fit the description is Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell can become a free agent in 2025 and there has been speculation he could seek a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason given his potential reluctance to sign long-term. Mitchell has also been linked with the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Last offseason, the Heat had interest in acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, but no deal ever materialized before he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The NBA announced the finalists for 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year. The finalists are Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and rookie Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.

Gobert is a three-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year. He took home the award in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2020-21 while playing for the Utah Jazz.

Adebayo is a first-time finalist. Wembanyama is also a finalist for 2023-24 Rookie of the Year.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier III is considered week-to-week with a neck injury. Rozier missed the last four games of the regular season and both of Miami's Play-In Tournament games due to the injury.

While a serious injury, the veteran guard's career isn't assumed to be in danger from the neck issue. However, there is no timetable for when Rozier might be able to play.

The Heat acquired Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets in late-January in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick. Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 31 games with Miami.

After beating the Chicago Bulls on Friday, the Heat advanced to the playoffs as the 8-seed in the Eastern Conference. Miami opens their series at the Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

Wednesday night's Play-In Tournament games averaged 3.25 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2.

The number is a 25% increase from last year.

The Sixers' win over the Heat averaged 3.4 million viewers, with the Hawks-Bulls nightcap averaged 3.07 million viewers.

Tuesday night's Warriors-Kings game averaged 4.05 million viewers.

Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler is expected to miss a few weeks due to a sprained MCL. Butler was injured during the Heat's Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.

Butler was able to complete the game, but was visibly hampered. He limped off at the end of the game and was spotted with a visible limp as he left the arena.

The Heat will host the Chicago Bulls in the final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament game on Friday. The winner advances to play the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, beginning on Sunday afternoon.

Jimmy Butler is believed to have suffered an MCL injury during Wednesday's loss by the Miami Heat to the Phialdelphia 76ers in the Play-In.

Butler will undergo an MRI and could miss an indefinite period of time.

If the Heat win their Play-In game on Friday, they would play the Boston Celtics in the first round.

The Eastern Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

First Round Matchups

• No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 (Sixers, Heat, Bulls or Hawks)

• No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 (Sixers or Heat)

• No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers

• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic

Play-In

• No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

• No. 9 Chicago Bulls vs. No. 10 Atlanta Hawks

Alondes Williams has been named hte 23-24 G League Most Improved Player.

In his second G League season, Williams averaged 21.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 27 games. 

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro traveled with the team on a three-game road trip. That has created some optimism that Herro is on the cusp of a return, possibly as soon as Friday night. The Heat play at the Houston Rockets on Friday before traveling to play the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.

Herro has missed the last 20 games due to a right foot injury. Overall, Herro has played in only 36 games this season.

Miami will welcome the backcourt help, as the Heat are down to Terry Rozier III and Duncan Robinson as playing regular minutes at the guard position. Herro has averaged a career-high 20.8 points and 4.4 assists, along with 5.3 rebounds per game.

In a simple message posted on Instagram, Nemanja Bjelica announced his retirement from playing basketball.

"20 years...Thank you basketball" was Bjelica's message on Saturday afternoon.

The 6-foot-10 forward played for seven seasons in the NBA. Bjelica started his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2015, before moving to the Sacramento Kings in 2018. At the 2021 trade deadline, Bjelica was dealt to the Miami Heat. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors, and helped the team win the 2022 NBA Finals.

Following that NBA title, Bjelica returned to Fenerbahce in Turkey. He had previously played for the Turkish club before coming to the NBA.

Bjelica also played professionally for clubs in his native Serbia and in Spain during his 20-year professional career. The 35-year-old had also suited up for the Serbian national team for several EuroBasket and World Cup competitions, as well as Olympic qualifiers.