MIAMI — December is not necessarily a month of movement in the NBA, but it does stand as a set-up period, with most players signed in the offseason eligible to be dealt on Dec. 15.

For the Heat, December also will be the first time they will have the wherewithal to add a 15th player to fill out their standard roster and remain below the punitive luxury tax.

So, yes, Monday’s turn of the calendar comes with meaning.

Particularly this year, when it appears a winter of discontent is looming with several known quantities.

That doesn’t mean the Heat should or will do anything, with the current issue seemingly how to find requisite playing time for the depth of the current roster.

But even when things are going well, the job of any front office is to consider how things could be better.

Which raises dual questions, questions with divergent answers.

Could this season’s Heat contend for a shot at the NBA Finals?

Based on the current standings and the uncertainty in the East, why not?

Could this season’s Heat contend for a championship?

Have you seen the Oklahoma City Thunder? Add vintage Michael Jordan to the current Heat roster and you’re not stopping that OKC colossus four times in a seven-game series (OK, maybe).

Still, with so much going sideways elsewhere in the league as Erik Spoelstra has the Heat on the rise, temptation could be there for a team not afraid to shake it up at midseason (Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and, yes, lamentably, Terry Rozier).

So …

A truer point guard?

Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Trae Young are names that have been out there. In each case, the appropriate Heat response would be no, no, no.

Morant simply is not the same player as when at the top of the game. And less than a year removed from Jimmy Butler, a break from drama would appear in order.

With Ball, the lesson is one that should have been learned from Rozier, that statistics amid losing with the Hornets can be the emptiest of calories.

As for Young, the Hawks have proven be better in his absence, with the Heat already with their fill of negative defenders on the wing.

Davion Mitchell on a value contract remains the better play at the point at the moment.

A win-now approach

Pat Riley rarely has been shy about turning to veteran talent, especially win-now bigs.

To that end, Anthony Davis showed during the Olympics instant chemistry with Bam Adebayo, with the two embracing at midcourt after the Heat’s victory this past week over the Dallas Mavericks. Still, 32 and with an injury history.

As for LeBron James’ uncertain fit with the current build of the Los Angeles Lakers, been there, seen that, won that, with no need to look back.

The bold strokes

That doesn’t mean there aren’t frontcourt veterans who could tempt, could tangibly upgrade the Heat at a position of relative weakness.

At some point, the forever-rebuilding Utah Jazz have to cash in on the market for Lauri Markkanen.

Then there is Zion Williamson, who never has fully gained traction with the New Orleans Pelicans, but stands as the type of potential reclamation project that Riley has cashed in on over the years.

In each case, the question would be whether the Heat could cobble the necessary draft capital.

The Sacramento garage (garbage?) sale

The mismatched and woeful Sacramento Kings arrive to Kaseya Center next weekend as arguably the latest example of a roster cobbled together without design or purpose.

Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, Domantas Sabonis? No, no, no and maybe if the price is right.

The long game

There is absolutely no reason for Riley, Andy Elisburg and Adam Simon to rush into action. The July trade for Norman Powell already has put the Heat ahead of the personnel curve.

That said, if Anthony Edwards shakes free, or demands to be shaken free from the Minnesota Timberwolves, all chips to the middle of the table.

Similarly, some levels of talent transcend 30-something age, should the Indiana Pacers consider a reset is in order and are willing to consider options with Pascal Siakam (31), or if Giannis Antetokounmpo (30) decides it is time to ask out from a Milwaukee Bucks build that otherwise lacks much in the way of a foundation.

A year ago, starting in December, the Heat were at the mercy of another. This season, no Jimmy Butler, no rush, but the right to consider the possibilities of taking good to better.