Miami Heat lock in Nikola Jović on a four-year, $62.4M extension, signaling faith in his development as they brace for a season without Jimmy Butler and with Tyler Herro sidelined early by foot surgery. Jović’s career-best 10.7 ppg on 37% from deep last season, plus a 24-point playoff burst vs. Cleveland, hint at a growing complementary role beside Bam Adebayo. With Herro out until roughly January, Miami leans on a versatile rotation featuring Rozier, Wiggins, Powell, Ware, and a healthy Jović to chase a top-six seed in a thinner Eastern Conference.

Heat must absorb 22-point-per-game gap as Tyler Herro undergoes ankle surgery, starting the season with a brutal travel-heavy stretch. Norman Powell steps into the primary scoring role for a while, Bam Adebayo anchors defense and becomes offensive linchpin without Herro and Duncan Robinson, and Erik Spoelstra retools sets for more off-ball action. Davion Mitchell could slide into the starting lineup, intensifying Heat defense while Herro is out.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the 2025-26 guard rankings as the safest fantasy anchor due to elite scoring, assists and defensive stats plus rare durability. Luka Doncic lands right behind, now in a Lakers setup built to maximize playmaking and spacing. The list spotlights Cade Cunningham’s continued ascent, Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker as high-ceiling scorers, and a tier of versatile guards (Morant, Mitchell, Curry, Harden) with varying risk profiles. Rookie-leaning breakouts (Amen Thompson, Quickley) and veterans adjusting to new rosters (VanVleet, Poole) shape late-round upside, while availability and injury risk remain the currency of drafts.

Tyler Herro’s eight-week ankle surgery reshapes the Heat’s early-season plan, forcing a guard rotation overhaul. Norman Powell likely starts at two with Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. expanding roles. Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nikola Jovic push for minutes, while Dru Smith adds depth off the bench. Terry Rozier and Josh Christopher surface as potential veteran relief options, and Spoelstra will tweak lineups as Herro’s extension window looms.