Expectations are high for the Miami Heat heading into the 2026-27 NBA season following their blockbuster trade for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo immediately elevates the Heat into contending status, although considering that there are plenty of other contending teams in the Eastern Conference, the road ahead for this team is not going to be easy whatsoever.

Nonetheless, part of morphing into a championship-level team is embracing the kind of mentality that goes with it. Heat Culture embodies hard work and determination, it also includes having incredible self-belief. This was why the Heat have constantly overcome talent deficits, even making it to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023.

Now back in training, the Heat are putting themselves in a championship state of mind — with starting point guard Davion Mitchell already declaring the team “champions”, as if they practice like it, this would translate to their play on the court once the season begins.

“We're already champions, so let’s start acting like it. Starting today,” Mitchell said to rally his team during practice in a video he reposted on his Instagram story, via Heat Central on X.

“We already champions, so let’s start acting like it”

~ Davion Mitchell on IG

This is the most hyped I’ve been for a Heat season in years 😈 pic.twitter.com/NIEWj3L4XI

— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) September 15, 2026

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There is a long way to go before the Heat establish themselves as one of the best teams in the NBA. For starters, the Antetokounmpo trade cost them a ton of their depth.

While trading for a star of Antetokounmpo's caliber is almost always worth it, it may not bear fruit immediately in the form of a title when it requires sacrificing depth. Just ask the New York Knicks in their first season following the Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns trades.

Moreover, it will take some time for the team to jell considering that they are integrating quite a few new pieces, and they have to basically overhaul the system as they design it around Antetokounmpo. But once this Heat team coalesces, there's no telling just how far they can go, especially with head coach Erik Spoelstra still at the helm.