How Heat were built: Stars like Jimmy Butler, finding hidden gems have Miami in NBA Finals

The Miami Heat like their stars, no question about that.

Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Jimmy Butler.

But the Heat's front office led by Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg and Adam Simon also like their hidden gems and finding players who fit their system − players that other teams may have overlooked, players like Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent. They were all undrafted, and it’s not unusual to get those kind of players into their system and develop them.

“Quite frankly, we've needed more guys like Gabe and Caleb to show how much they have improved with their player development,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Let’s take a look at how the Heat were built.

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Draft

Bam Adebayo: Taken 14th in the 2017 draft, Adebayo is a two-time All-Star and an important part of Miami’s success. He struggled offensively against the Celtics in the conference finals but was outstanding defensively and on the boards.

Tyler Herro: Selected 13th in the 2019, Herro is another valuable piece of Miami’s success. He broke his hand in the first round against Milwaukee but might make his return in the middle of the Finals.

Nikola Jovic: The Heat took Jovic, 19, with the 27th pick in the first round of last year’s draft but he has not been part of their rotation.

Free agency

Udonis Haslem: If there’s a player that embodies Miami’s success with undrafted players, it’s Haslem, who signed his first deal with the Heat 20 years ago. He’s in his final season, and while he doesn’t play much, his voice matters.

Duncan Robinson: Undrafted in 2018 from Michigan after starting his college career at Division III Williams College, Robinson had been relegated to the bench until Herro’s injury. He was ready, averaging 9.3 points and shooting 44.6% on 3-pointers in the playoffs.

Gabe Vincent: Also undrafted in 2018, Vincent started his pro career in the G League and then signed a two-way (G League/NBA deal) before reaching a two-year, $3.4 million deal in 2021. Averaging 13.1 points and shooting 39% on 3s in the postseason, Vincent has scored 20-plus points four times in the playoffs, including 29 in Game 3 against Boston.

Max Strus: Undrafted in 2019 after a college career at DePaul and Division II Lewis University, Strus also signed a two-way deal before coming to terms on a two-year, $3.4 million contract. Strus had eight consecutive double-figure scoring games earlier in the playoffs.

Omer Yurtseven: He went undrafted in 2020 after playing for North Carolina State and Georgetown and is not part of the playoff rotation.

Caleb Martin: Undrafted in 2019 following a college career at North Carolina State and Nevada, Martin started his pro career on two-way contracts, first with Charlotte then with the Heat. He was Miami’s second-best scorer against Boston, averaging 19.3 points and shooting 60.2% from the field and 48.9% on 3s in seven games. Miami locked him up on a three-year, $20.4 million contract.

Haywood Highsmith: Undrafted in 2018 after four seasons at Division II Wheeling University, Highsmith started in the G League, spent a season in Germany, went back to the G League and then had a series of 10-day contracts. He’s on a three-year, $3.9 million contract with Miami, and while in and out of the rotation, he has contributed.

Jamal Cain: Undrafted in 2022, Cain is on a two-way contract and not part of the playoff rotation.

Orlando Robinson: Undrafted in 2022, Robinson is on a two-way contract and not part of the playoff rotation.

Kevin Love: The five-time All-Star and 2016 NBA champ signed with the Heat in February after he was bought out by Cleveland. In and out of the rotation depending on matchups, Love brings considerable experience.

Cody Zeller: Signed in the buyout market in February, Zeller doesn’t play a lot but has made solid contributions in those limited minutes.

Trades

Jimmy Butler: Part of a four-team trade, Miami acquired Butler from Philadelphia in 2019. While the Heat don’t have a title with Butler, he has led them to the NBA Finals twice in four seasons, and when the Heat needed him in Game 7 against Boston, he delivered with 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Victor Oladipo: The Heat sent Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and a 2022 first-round draft pick swap to Houston for Oladipo at the 2021 trade deadline. He sustained a season-ending injury against Milwaukee in the first round.

Kyle Lowry: The Heat traded for Lowry prior to the start of the 2021-22 season, and while he’s not the same player he was in Toronto, he delivers tenacity, leadership and solid play.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Miami Heat made NBA Finals: Big trades, undrafted free agents key