Heat preseason schedule could feature visits by top picks from ’24, ’23 NBA drafts

The Miami Heat announced a home exhibition schedule Monday that, at least for now, will feature the No. 1 picks in both the 2024 and '23 NBA drafts.

MIAMI — The Miami Heat announced a home exhibition schedule Monday that, at least for now, will feature the No. 1 picks in both the 2024 and ’23 NBA drafts.

In addition to a preseason visit by the San Antonio Spurs, who feature 2023 No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama, the Heat’s home preseason schedule also features a visit by the Atlanta Hawks, who hold the No. 1 pick in the June 26 first round of the draft.

The Heat’s other home preseason game is against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Heat preseason road games have yet to be announced, with the 2024-25 regular-season schedule expected to be released in August.

The Heat’s three preseason dates at Kaseya Center are Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. against the Hawks, Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m. against the Pelicans and Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. against the Spurs.

Tickets for those three games go on sale Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Heat.com and Ticketmaster.com. As in recent seasons, all Heat home games will feature mobile entry.

The Heat are scheduled to unveil a new, larger scoreboard next season, amid ongoing upgrades at Kaseya Center.

The Sun. Oct. 13 exhibition comes during a bye week on the Miami Dolphins’ schedule.

While the Hawks’ No. 1 selection in this year’s draft is less than certain, with a trade of the pick still a possibility, the Spurs’ 2024-25 roster will include Wembanyama, the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year and cornerstone to the rebuild for Gregg Popovich’s team. As with all exhibitions, there is no assurance of participation by specific Heat or visiting players.

Wembanyama closed with 18 points and 13 rebounds in his lone appearance last season at Kaseya Center, a 116-104 Heat victory.

The Heat the past two seasons have played five-game preseason schedules, with three exhibitions at home and two on the road.

Prior to the preseason, the Heat also will play summer-league schedules in both San Francisco and Las Vegas. Also this summer, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will serve as an assistant coach on Steve Kerr’s Team USA staff at the Paris Olympics, with that roster to include Heat center Bam Adebayo.

The Heat are scheduled to hold their preseason media day on Sept. 30 before opening training camp on Oct. 1.