"As for Miami's offense, though, it probably remembers the Butler era fondly. Because ever since he left, the Heat have had tremendous trouble getting themselves to the foul line. Miami's free-throw rate has plummeted since Butler left. ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently put a spotlight on every team's biggest roster hole entering the 2025-26 NBA season. His response to Miami might surprise some folks."
"During Butler's five full seasons in Miami, the Heat's average ranking in made free throws per game was 10th. They ranked as high as fifth (2019-20) and never lower than 13th (2020-21). Last season, though, they dropped all the way to 26th. They were 29th after the All-Star break, and their 13.3 free-throw attempts in the opening round were the second-lowest in playoff history, per Pelton."
"The Heat need to start finding more of these freebies-and fast. They don't have the volume scorers or long-range net-shredders to get by without them. And, again, that was a concern even before they lost Herro, who paced them in points, assists, and three-pointers last season. Butler's replacement, Andrew Wiggins, actually led the way with 4.6 free-throw attempts. For context, that average barely cracked the league's top 40."
Jimmy Butler's departure coincided with a sharp decline in Miami's ability to draw fouls and make free throws. During Butler's five full seasons in Miami, the Heat averaged a tenth-place ranking in made free throws per game, peaking at fifth and never falling below 13th. Last season the team fell to 26th overall and 29th after the All-Star break; the Heat averaged just 13.3 free-throw attempts in their opening-round series, the second-lowest in playoff history. The roster lacks high-volume scorers and long-range threats, and Andrew Wiggins led the team with only 4.6 free-throw attempts.
Read at All U Can Heat
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