Editing Miami Heat (section)

==History==
{{main|History of the Miami Heat}} 
{{further|Miami Heat accomplishments and records}}

===1987–1995: Early years in Miami===
In 1987, the NBA granted one of four new expansion teams to Miami (the others being the [[Orlando Magic]], [[Charlotte Hornets]], and the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]); the team, known as the Heat, began play in November 1988. The Miami Heat began their early years with much mediocrity, only making the playoffs twice in their first eight years and falling in the first round both times.

Miami had previously been home to the [[Miami Floridians]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) from 1968 to 1972.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/the-best-miami-heat-jerseys-from-vice-versa-to-heat-strong-11818132 | title=The Definitive Ranking of the Miami Heat's Alternate Jerseys | access-date=June 20, 2022 | archive-date=June 20, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620150604/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/the-best-miami-heat-jerseys-from-vice-versa-to-heat-strong-11818132 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===1995–2003: Title hopefuls===
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Upon the purchasing of the franchise by [[Carnival Corporation & plc|Carnival Cruise Lines]] chairman [[Micky Arison]] in 1995, [[Pat Riley]] was brought in as the team president and head coach. Riley acquired center [[Alonzo Mourning]] and point guard [[Tim Hardaway]] to serve as the centerpieces for the team, transforming Miami into a championship contender throughout the late 1990s. With them they also brought in a new team trainer, Cody Posselt, to work on shooting. The Heat underwent a dramatic turnaround in the 1996–97 season, improving to a 61–21 record – a franchise record at the time, and currently second-best in team history. That same year, Miami earned the moniker of "Road Warriors" for its remarkable 32–9 record on the road. On the backs of Hardaway and Mourning, the Heat achieved their first two series victories in the playoffs, making it to the conference finals against the [[Michael Jordan]]-led [[Chicago Bulls]] before losing in five games. Their biggest rivals of the time were the [[New York Knicks]], Riley's former team, who would eliminate the Heat in the playoffs from 1998 through 2000. A period of mediocrity followed after, highlighted by missing the playoffs in 2002 and 2003.

===2003–2016: The Dwyane Wade era===
In the [[2003 NBA draft]], with the fifth overall pick, Miami selected shooting guard [[Dwyane Wade]] out of [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]].<ref>{{cite news|title=HEAT Select Dwyane Wade with the 5th Pick in NBA Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/draft2003_wade_release.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=HEAT.com|date=June 27, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704023652/http://www.nba.com/heat/news/draft2003_wade_release.html|archive-date=July 4, 2003|access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> Free-agent swing-man [[Lamar Odom]] was signed from the [[Los Angeles Clippers]]. Just prior to the start of the 2003–04 season, Riley stepped down as head coach to focus on rebuilding the Heat, promoting [[Stan Van Gundy]] to the position of head coach. Behind Van Gundy's leadership, Wade's stellar rookie year and Odom's break out season, the Heat made the [[2004 NBA playoffs]], beating the [[New Orleans Hornets]] 4–3 in the first round and losing to the [[Indiana Pacers]] 4–2 in the second round. In the off-season, Riley engineered a summer blockbuster trade for [[Shaquille O'Neal]] from the [[Los Angeles Lakers]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-07-14-shaq-trade_x.htm|title=It's Official: Shaq traded to Heat for three players, draft pick|first=David|last=DuPree|date=July 14, 2004|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=June 21, 2013|archive-date=July 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130710020727/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-07-14-shaq-trade_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alonzo Mourning]] returned to the Heat in the same season, serving as a backup to O'Neal. Returning as championship contenders, Miami finished with a 59–23 record, consequently garnering the first overall seed in the Eastern Conference. Sweeping through the first round and the semifinals, Miami went back to the conference finals for the first time in eight years, where it met the defending champion [[Detroit Pistons]]. Despite taking a 3–2 lead, Miami lost Wade to injury for Game 6. The Heat would go on to lose Game 7 at home despite Wade's return.

====2005–2006: Championship season====
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| footer = [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Dwyane Wade]] brought the Heat their first NBA Championship in 2006.
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In the summer of 2005, Riley brought in veteran free agent [[Gary Payton]] from the [[Boston Celtics]], and also brought in [[James Posey]], [[Jason Williams (basketball, born 1975)|Jason Williams]] and [[Antoine Walker]] via trades.<ref>{{cite news|title=HEAT Acquire Antoine Walker, Jason Williams & James Posey|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat_acquire_walkerwilliamsposey_050803.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=HEAT.com|date=August 3, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050805015816/http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat_acquire_walkerwilliamsposey_050803.html|archive-date=August 5, 2005|access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> After a disappointing 11–10 start to the 2005–06 season, Riley relieved Van Gundy of his duties and took back the head coaching job.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heat coach Van Gundy resigns, replaced by Riley|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2256435|access-date=October 21, 2021|website=ESPN.com|date=December 12, 2005|archive-date=October 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021045648/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2256435|url-status=live}}</ref> The Heat made it to the conference finals in 2006 and in a re-match, defeated the Pistons, winning the series 4–2. Making its first [[NBA Finals]] appearance, they played the [[Dallas Mavericks]], who won the first two games in Dallas in routs. The Heat then won the next four games, capturing its first-ever championship. Wade won the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]] award.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aA.VPw8saW54&refer=canada|title=Wade Leads Heat Past Mavericks to Win First NBA Title (Update1)|first=Bob|last=Bensch|date=June 21, 2006|work=Bloomberg|access-date=June 21, 2013|archive-date=January 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108162426/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aA.VPw8saW54&refer=canada|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2006–2010: Post-championship struggles====
The Heat experienced four years of post-title struggles from 2007 through 2010, including a 4–0 sweep by the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the first round of the [[2007 NBA playoffs]]. In the 2007–08 season, Wade was plagued by injuries and the Heat had a league-worst 15–67 record. O'Neal was traded to Phoenix midway through the season. Riley resigned as head coach following the season but retained his position as team president. Long-time assistant [[Erik Spoelstra]] was promoted to head coach. A healthy Wade led the Heat to 43 wins in 2009 and 47 wins in 2010, making the playoffs both seasons, though they lost in the first round, 4–3 in 2009 and 4–1 in 2010. Wade was the [[List of National Basketball Association annual scoring leaders|scoring champion]] in 2009 and the [[NBA All-Star MVP]] in 2010.

====2010–2014: The "Big Three" era====
{{main|Big Three (Miami Heat)}}
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Entering the 2010–11 season with nearly $48&nbsp;million in salary cap space, the Heat caused a major power shift during the blockbuster 2010 free agency, adding [[Chris Bosh]] and [[LeBron James]], starting the "[[Big Three (Miami Heat)|Big 3]]" era.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/09/lebron-james-joins-miami-heat|title=LeBron James joins the Miami Heat|last=Nutbrown|first=Charlie|date=July 8, 2010|website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221171512/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jul/09/lebron-james-joins-miami-heat|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5360134|title=Source: Bosh to join Wade, Heat|last=Broussard|first=Chris|date=July 7, 2010|website=www.ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210000150/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5360134|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Heat got off to a 9–8 start. After a "players only" meeting, the team improved. The Heat finished with a 58–24 record and the second seed. In the much anticipated [[2011 NBA playoffs]], Miami defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals, and Bulls in the conference finals, all in 5 games. The Heat reached the [[2011 NBA Finals]] for the first time since 2006, in a rematch against the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. After taking a 2–1 series lead, the Heat lost the final three games to the Mavericks.

After the second [[2011 NBA lockout|NBA lockout]] ended, the Heat signed veteran [[Shane Battier]]. In the shortened [[2011–12 NBA season|2011–12 season]], the Heat started 27–7. However they would struggle for the second half of the season, going 19–13. The Heat finished 46–20, earning the second seed in the East for the [[2012 NBA playoffs|NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Who Are the Best Florida Sports Teams of All-Time? |url=https://spacecoastdaily.com/2023/04/who-are-the-best-florida-sports-teams-of-all-time/ |access-date=December 21, 2023 |work=Space Coast Daily |date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220154826/https://spacecoastdaily.com/2023/04/who-are-the-best-florida-sports-teams-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Entering the first round, they took a 3–0 lead against the New York Knicks but like their previous series with the Sixers, were not able to close them out in Game 4. A victory in Game 5 ultimately defeated New York and the Heat advanced to the second round versus the [[Indiana Pacers]]. After losing Game 2 at home and Game 3 at Indiana, many criticized [[Dwyane Wade]]'s lackluster performance in Game 3, bringing attention to the fact that he got into a verbal argument with Spoelstra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dwyane Wade Got Into A Shouting Match With His Coach During Last Night's Blowout Loss To The Pacers|last=Manfred|first=Tony|publisher=Insider Inc.|date=May 18, 2012|website=BusinessInsider.com|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/dwyane-wade-erik-spoelstra-fight-2012-5 |accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> However, with Wade visiting his former college coach, the team defeated the Pacers in the next three games, to close out the Pacers. They met the [[Boston Celtics]] in the [[NBA Conference finals|Eastern Conference finals]], taking the first two games before losing the next three, including one home loss where Bosh returned from injury. On June 7 they won on the road at Boston beating the Celtics 98–79 to tie the series 3–3; James had 45 points and 15 rebounds. The deciding Game 7 was at Miami. The Celtics largely dominated during the first half. The second half saw several lead changes. The Heat eventually won 101–88, reaching the [[NBA Finals]] for the second straight year. In the much-anticipated match-up with the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], the Heat split the first two games, winning Game 2 on the road, before sweeping the next three at home.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/nba-finals-2012-lebron-james-miami-heat-rout-oklahoma-city-thunder-to-win-championship/2012/06/22/gJQAPLA7tV_story.html|title=NBA Finals 2012: LeBron James, Miami Heat rout Oklahoma City Thunder to win championship|last=Lee|first=Michael|date=June 22, 2012|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221163240/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/nba-finals-2012-lebron-james-miami-heat-rout-oklahoma-city-thunder-to-win-championship/2012/06/22/gJQAPLA7tV_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> James was named the Finals MVP as he won his first NBA championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8083535/2012-nba-finals-lebron-james-wins-mvp-award|title=LeBron James wins Finals MVP|work=ESPN.com|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=February 21, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221162410/https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8083535/2012-nba-finals-lebron-james-wins-mvp-award|url-status=live}}</ref>

On July 11, 2012, the Heat officially signed veterans [[Ray Allen]] to a three-year contract and [[Rashard Lewis]] to a two-year contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/8156692/ray-allen-rashard-lewis-sign-miami-heat|title=Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis join Heat|last=Wallace|first=Michael|date=July 11, 2012|website=www.ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211081451/https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/8156692/ray-allen-rashard-lewis-sign-miami-heat|url-status=live}}</ref> The Heat later posted a 27-game winning streak from February 3, 2013, and March 27, 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Game-by-game review: Miami Heat's win streak|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/03/14/miami-heats-win-streak-during-2012-13-season/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=March 14, 2013|access-date=November 5, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024072418/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/03/14/miami-heats-win-streak-during-2012-13-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> Defeating Orlando in the season finale set the franchise record for 66 wins in a season. By the end of the season, the Heat won 18 of its 19 road games, the best streak on the road to end a season in NBA history. The Heat went 17–1 in March, becoming the first team to win 17 games in a single calendar month. The Heat ended with a franchise-best and league-best 66–16 record to take the first seed in the [[2013 NBA playoffs]]. They swept the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in the first round and defeated Chicago in five games before winning against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7. Miami became the first Eastern Conference team to reach the [[2013 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]] in three straight years since the Chicago Bulls in the late 1990s. Miami lost Game 1 of the Finals on their home floor in a close game that was decided by a last-minute buzzer beater by [[Tony Parker]]. The Heat went on to win Game 2 with a 33–5 run in the second half. The two teams continued to trade wins leading up to Game 6 where the Spurs, up 10 heading in the fourth quarter, were in position to close out the series and win the championship. James went on to score 16 points in the period, outscoring the entire Spurs team by himself at one point. With 5.2 seconds remaining, Ray Allen scored a three-pointer to tie the game at 95–all and force overtime, where the Heat won the game 103–100.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ray Allen's late 3 forces OT, Heat edge Spurs to force Game 7|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400467338|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=December 22, 2021|agency=Associated Press|date=June 18, 2013|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222175132/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400467338|url-status=live}}</ref> The Heat went on to defeat the Spurs 95–88 in Game 7 behind a 37-point and 12 rebounds performance from James and a 23-point and 10 rebound effort from Wade.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/06/21/194155109/lebron-james-leads-heat-to-back-to-back-nba-titles|title=LeBron James leads Heat to back-to-back NBA Titles|last=Peralta|first=Eyder|date=June 21, 2013|website=www.npr.org|publisher=NPR|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221165802/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/06/21/194155109/lebron-james-leads-heat-to-back-to-back-nba-titles|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shane Battier]] also scored 18 points, making six three-pointers, after having a shooting slump during the postseason up to that point. The Heat captured the NBA title for a second year in a row, becoming the first team in the Eastern Conference to repeat as league champions since the late 1990s Chicago Bulls. James was named the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]], becoming the fifth player to win the award back-to-back along with [[Michael Jordan]], [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and [[Kobe Bryant]], and only the second player in NBA history to win the Finals MVP and league MVP back-to-back along with Jordan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9409188/2013-nba-finals-lebron-james-named-nba-finals-mvp|title=LeBron James named Finals MVP|date=June 21, 2013|publisher=ESPN|website=www.ESPN.com|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=December 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211215728/https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/id/9409188/2013-nba-finals-lebron-james-named-nba-finals-mvp|url-status=live}}</ref>

Miami struggled throughout the 2013–14 season with extended absences of Dwyane Wade, who only played 54 games to injury and ended on an 11–14 record entering the [[2014 NBA playoffs|playoffs]]. They entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference second seed with a record of 54–28 team, and with the "Big 3" healthy. They went 12–3 in the first 3 rounds. They swept the [[Charlotte Bobcats]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/heat-sweeps-bobcats/2177363/|title=Heat sweeps Bobcats|website=www.tampabay.com|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221170700/https://www.tampabay.com/sports/heat-sweeps-bobcats/2177363/|url-status=live}}</ref> They then beat the [[Brooklyn Nets]] 4–1. They went on to play the first-seeded 56–26 Pacers in the conference finals, in a rematch of the previous year's Conference finals. The Pacers were eliminated from the playoffs for a third consecutive year by the Heat. The Heat went to a fourth consecutive [[2014 NBA Finals|Finals]], and faced the Spurs again. The first two games in [[San Antonio]] were split but the Heat fell to the Spurs 4–1, failing to repeat as champions for the third consecutive season.

====2014–2016: Post-"Big Three" and rebuild====
On July 11, 2014, LeBron James announced on ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''&nbsp;'s website that after opting out of the final year of his contract, he would leave the Heat and return to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=LeBron James|author2=Lee Jenkins|title=LeBron James announces return to Cleveland Cavaliers|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 11, 2014|access-date=May 20, 2015|archive-date=May 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509162332/https://www.si.com/nba/2014/07/11/lebron-james-cleveland-cavaliers|url-status=live}}</ref> Wade and Bosh stayed in Miami. Like the Cavaliers in the 2010 off-season, the Heat focused on how it would maintain itself without LeBron. Wade and Bosh were joined by returning players [[Mario Chalmers]], [[Norris Cole (basketball)|Norris Cole]], [[Udonis Haslem]] and [[Chris Andersen]] along with former rivals [[Luol Deng]] and [[Danny Granger]]. The Heat also drafted [[Shabazz Napier]] and [[James Ennis (basketball)|James Ennis]]. In 2015, they also gained [[Goran Dragić]] and his younger brother [[Zoran Dragić]].

After a season with several injuries, including to Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts, the Heat finished with a 37–45 record, the NBA's 10th-worst. They failed to make the playoffs after being Eastern Conference champions four straight years. It was the second time in Wade's career they did not qualify for the postseason. The Heat were the first team since the [[2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers season|2004–05 Los Angeles Lakers]] to miss the playoffs after going to the NBA Finals the previous year. Miami had qualified for the playoffs for six consecutive seasons.

At the 2015 [[NBA draft lottery]], the Heat were awarded the 10th pick for the [[2015 NBA draft]], which was used to select [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] forward [[Justise Winslow]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=BleacherReport|author=Bleacher Report|number=600827735729164289|date=May 20, 2015|title=NBA Draft order for lottery teams after the #NBADraftLottery}}</ref>

During the 2015–16 season, the Heat compiled a 48–34 regular season record; however, their season ended in the [[2016 NBA playoffs|Conference semifinals]] where they lost to the [[Toronto Raptors]]. The 2016 free agency was marked with relationship issues and disagreements between [[Dwyane Wade]] and Heat president [[Pat Riley]], mostly focusing on how much Wade would get paid.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Michael |title=Riley left with another challenge after letting Wade walk |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16996882/why-pat-riley-dwyane-wade-split-miami |work=ESPN.com |access-date=December 8, 2018 |date=July 13, 2016 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124115/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16996882/why-pat-riley-dwyane-wade-split-miami |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Tim |title=Pat Riley raves about Dwyane Wade, but avoids all contract talk |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/09/22/pat-riley-discusses-dwyane-wade-future |website=NBA.com |publisher=The Associated Press |access-date=December 8, 2018 |archive-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124720/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/09/22/pat-riley-discusses-dwyane-wade-future |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2016–2019: Departure and return of Wade===
On July 6, 2016, Wade announced that he was leaving the Heat to go join his hometown [[Chicago Bulls]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wade|first1=Dwyane|title=Homecoming|url=http://dwyanewade.com/homecoming/|publisher=Dwyane Wade|access-date=July 8, 2016|archive-date=July 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710043255/http://dwyanewade.com/homecoming/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2016, Bosh failed his physical exam with the Heat and was not cleared by the team to participate in training camp.<ref>{{cite news|title=Miami HEAT Statement On Chris Bosh|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/miami-heat-statement-chris-bosh-2|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 23, 2016|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=September 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926051433/http://www.nba.com/heat/news/miami-heat-statement-chris-bosh-2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Reynolds|first1=Tim|title=Bosh fails physical, not cleared for training camp|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/09/23/bosh-fails-physical.ap/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=September 27, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926065030/http://www.nba.com/2016/news/09/23/bosh-fails-physical.ap|archive-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> On September 26, 2016, Heat president Riley said he viewed Bosh's career with the team as over, noting that the team was no longer working toward his return.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Sekou|title=Heat president Riley says Bosh's career in Miami is 'probably over'|url=http://www.nba.com/2016/news/09/26/pat-riley-chris-bosh-career-probably-over-miami-heat/index.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929122641/http://www.nba.com/2016/news/09/26/pat-riley-chris-bosh-career-probably-over-miami-heat/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 4, 2017, the Heat waived Bosh a month after an NBA ruling declared his blood clotting issues a career-ending illness.<ref name="BoshWaived">{{cite news|title=HEAT Waive Chris Bosh|url=http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-waive-chris-bosh|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=July 4, 2017|access-date=July 5, 2017|archive-date=July 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705002214/http://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-waive-chris-bosh|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Reports: Doctor's ruling on Chris Bosh's health will help Heat's cap situation|url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/19523537/doctor-ruling-chris-bosh-health-help-miami-heat-salary-cap-situation|website=ESPN.com|access-date=July 5, 2017|date=June 3, 2017|archive-date=June 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628091828/http://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/19523537/doctor-ruling-chris-bosh-health-help-miami-heat-salary-cap-situation|url-status=live}}</ref> Riley immediately announced that Bosh's number would be retired in the future out of respect to him and his accomplishments with the Heat.<ref name="BoshWaived" /> With nearly all remnants of the Big Three era gone in just two seasons, Miami went 41–41 and missed the playoffs by virtue of a tiebreaker with the Chicago Bulls.

Also during that offseason, the Heat would select [[Bam Adebayo]] during the [[2017 NBA draft]] and on February 8, 2018, the Miami Heat would acquire Dwyane Wade back from the Cleveland Cavaliers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/2/8/16992052/dwyane-wade-return-miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers|title=Dwyane Wade is finally returning to Miami, where he belongs|website=Sbnation.com|date=February 8, 2018|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=July 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730141713/https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/2/8/16992052/dwyane-wade-return-miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers|url-status=live}}</ref> Wade willed the Heat to a game two win against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the [[2018 NBA playoffs|2018 playoffs]], but the team would lose the series in five games. Wade retired after one last season with the Heat in [[2018–19 NBA season|2018–19]]; Bosh and Wade's jerseys were retired in March 2019 and February 2020, respectively.

===2019–2025: The Jimmy Butler era===
[[File:Jimmy Butler (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Jimmy Butler led the Heat during deep playoff runs in the early 2020s.]]
In [[2019–20 NBA season|2019–20]], Miami acquired All-Star [[Jimmy Butler]], [[Andre Iguodala]], and [[Jae Crowder]], and drafted Kentucky shooting guard [[Tyler Herro]]. Following the [[Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season|suspension of the 2019–20 season]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the Heat were one of 22 teams invited to participate in the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]], completing the season [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]] in Orlando from July to October 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019–20 season with 22 teams returning to play |website=NBA |date=June 4, 2020 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612050333/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/06/04/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live }}</ref> The fifth-seeded Heat went 12–3 in the bubble playoffs to win the franchise's sixth conference championship in 15 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54322006 |title=Eastern Conference finals: Miami Heat wrap up 4–2 series win to reach NBA Finals |website=BBC Sport |date=September 28, 2020 |access-date=October 12, 2020 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004215338/https://www.bbc.com/sport/basketball/54322006 |url-status=live }}</ref> They would meet LeBron James and the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in the [[2020 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], losing in six games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-10-11/lakers-vs-heat-game-6|title=Lakers defeat Heat in NBA Finals to capture record-tying 17th title|website=Los Angeles Times|date=October 11, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117054508/https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2020-10-11/lakers-vs-heat-game-6|url-status=live}}</ref>

After a historically short 72-day off-season, the Heat struggled to find consistency in the [[2020–21 NBA season|2020–21 season]], finishing as the sixth seed. They were swept in a first-round rematch with the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks. The 2021 off-season saw the departures of Dragić and Iguodala, along with the acquisition of veteran [[Kyle Lowry]] and [[P.J. Tucker]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=HEAT ACQUIRE KYLE LOWRY|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-acquire-kyle-lowry|access-date=November 5, 2021|website=Miami Heat|archive-date=October 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024112535/https://www.nba.com/heat/news/heat-acquire-kyle-lowry|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Heat bounced back during the [[2021–22 NBA season|2021–22 season]], finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2013. Miami defeated their first round opponents, the [[Atlanta Hawks]], in five games, and then won against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] 4–2 in the conference semifinals. The Heat faced off against the [[Boston Celtics]] in the conference finals, but fell short after Butler's three-point shot to take the lead missed with 11 seconds remaining in Game 7.

The next season, the Heat finished the [[2022–23 NBA season|2022–23 regular season]] as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the play-in tournament; however, they managed to clinch their division title.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winderman |first1=Ira |title=Heat rest regulars in 114–108 loss to Wizards, will host Hawks in Tuesday play-in game |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-washington-wizards-20230408-467t2r5rm5cwza7ci3nhbjnd3e-story.html |website=sun-sentinel.com |access-date=April 8, 2023 |date=April 7, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408051735/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-washington-wizards-20230408-467t2r5rm5cwza7ci3nhbjnd3e-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chiang |first1=Anthony |title=Takeaways from Heat's blowout win in Philadelphia to keep slim hopes alive of escaping play-in |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article274053560.html |website=miamiherald.com |access-date=April 7, 2023 |date=April 6, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407213122/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article274053560.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the first play-in game, they lost to the Atlanta Hawks, who eventually clinched the seventh seed in the [[2023 NBA playoffs|NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Tim |title=Hawks grab No. 7 seed in East, hold off Heat 116–105 |url=https://apnews.com/article/hawks-heat-playoffs-playin-nba-6231c6063bb3b81ca9b6da858cf748e7 |publisher=AP News |access-date=April 12, 2023 |date=April 11, 2023 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412022729/https://apnews.com/article/hawks-heat-playoffs-playin-nba-6231c6063bb3b81ca9b6da858cf748e7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, the Heat managed to enter the playoffs as the eighth seed after defeating the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the final seeding game.<ref name="Heatclinch">{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Tim |title=Heat eliminate Bulls 102–91, will face Bucks in Round 1 |url=https://apnews.com/article/bulls-heat-nba-playoffs-playin-ff87abfc5dd6e428b5587f59c4afb9d1 |publisher=AP News |access-date=April 15, 2023 |date=April 14, 2023 |archive-date=April 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415020652/https://apnews.com/article/bulls-heat-nba-playoffs-playin-ff87abfc5dd6e428b5587f59c4afb9d1 |url-status=live }}</ref> They faced the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] in their third playoff meeting in four seasons, and eventually defeated them in five games, becoming the sixth team to eliminate a top-seeded team in the first round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/26/nba-playoffs-knicks-cavaliers-warriors-kings-lakers-grizzlies|title=NBA playoffs: Butler keys fightback as Heat oust top-seeded Bucks in shocker|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 27, 2023|access-date=April 27, 2023|archive-date=April 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427030558/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/apr/26/nba-playoffs-knicks-cavaliers-warriors-kings-lakers-grizzlies|url-status=live}}</ref> They next defeated the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the Eastern Conference Finals, respectively. Becoming just the second eighth seed to reach the NBA Finals, they faced the [[Denver Nuggets]], losing in five games.

Over the next two seasons, the Heat would fail to find the success they previously had and complications would begin to arise with Butler. In the [[2023–24 Miami Heat season|2023–24 season]], the Heat would finish as the 8th seed again but lose to the [[2023–24 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] in the first round in 5 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/2024.html |title= 2023-24 Miami Heat Roster and Stats |publisher=Basketball Reference |access-date=March 4, 2025}}</ref> After injuries and inconsistencies with Butler, particularly over the previous year, [[Pat Riley]] acknowledged the situation and went on to criticize him for his behavior. The statement from Riley would sour on Butler as the two parties failed to reach an agreement on an extension before the [[2024–25 Miami Heat season|2024–25 season]]. Further behavior from Butler would result in him being suspended multiple times throughout the season, leaving the Heat without their star for extended periods. This would culminate on February 5, 2025, when Butler was traded to the [[Golden State Warriors]] in a multi-team deal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Collier |first1=Jamal |title=14 seasons, 4 teams and a list of clashes: Charting Jimmy Butler's roller-coaster career |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43587920/jimmy-butler-line-dysfunction-infamous-practices-six-all-star-games |website=espn.com |access-date=March 4, 2025 |date=February 5, 2025}}</ref> The absence of Butler led to other Heat players getting more opportunities during the season, notably Tyler Herro, who would go on to make his first [[2025 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] that season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/heat/news/herro-selected-to-2025-nba-all-star-team |title= HERRO SELECTED TO 2025 NBA ALL-STAR TEAM |publisher=NBA |access-date=March 4, 2025}}</ref>