With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, teams around the league are bidding for available stars. Playoff contenders aim to add pieces to solidify their rotation for the stretch run. And teams out of the race are looking to gather assets for the future.
One of the team’s jockeying for playoff position is the Miami Heat. At 34-15, the Heat is one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season. Many assumed Miami would be fighting for perhaps the eight-seed, but these days, the team is a game-and-a-half out of the two-seed.
Aggressive Pat Riley
Pat Riley is known for making the big moves, and the trade deadline is no exception.
In 2018, Riley reacquired Dwyane Wade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a protected 2024 second-round pick. In 2015, he acquired Goran Dragic from Phoenix in exchange for Norris Cole, Danny Granger, Justin Hamilton, Shawne Williams, a conditional 2018 first-round pick, a 2021 first-round pick and cash. In 1996, Riley acquired Tim Hardaway and Chris Gatling from Golden State for Kevin Willis and Bimbo Coles.
Last season, Riley used the trade deadline to duck the luxury tax by dealing away Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington.
Money Concerns for Miami
For the 2019 trade deadline, things are a little more complicated than normal for Riley and the Heat. The team is currently $4.7 million over the luxury tax threshold. Miami is also just $12,300 below the league’s $138.9 hard-cap, a situation that’s borne from the Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade deal this past summer.
Beyond the hard-cap situation, the Heat want to avoid jeopardizing the 2021 cap space they hold dear. The summer of 2021 includes the potential free agency of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gordon Hayward and Victor Oladipo, among others.
In addition to the money concerns, Miami is limited in the assets it can use in a trade. The team can’t trade away a first-round pick until 2028, thanks to the NBA’s rule that a team cannot be without a first-round selection in consecutive years. Also, the Heat only owns two of its second-round picks over the next five years.
The assets beyond the limited draft picks include players on expiring contracts and young veterans. Justise Winslow would be the most sought after of Miami’s available players, but he’s out indefinitely with a back injury. The expiring contracts of Goran Dragic, Meyers Leonard, and Derrick Jones Jr. could all be used in a deal, but each one of those players remains a major rotation piece for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Miami would love to move off of Dion Waiters’ contract, but the disgruntled guard has undermined whatever trade value he may have had with poor behavior. James Johnson’s contract has a $16 million player option for 2020-2021. Kelly Olynyk is on the books for $12.1 million for next season.
Heat Linked to Veterans Around the League
All that said, the Heat have been linked to several players in trade rumors. The Athletic’s Shams Charania said Miami has emerged as a suitor for Andre Iguodala.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe indicated the Heat is interested in OKC’s Danilo Gallinari, as well as the recently traded Trevor Ariza. Charania also mentioned the Heat as a possible landing spot for New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday.
Each one of those players would fill a different role for the Heat: Gallinari as a stretch-four; Holiday as a secondary ball-handler/creator; and Iguodala and Ariza as perimeter defender/three-and-D types.
The Heat have needs for another perimeter defender, another ball-handler and perhaps a rim-protector. If they’re able to land one of these players, the team would solidify its spot in the top half of the Eastern Conference. Miami would be a true contender for the East with such an upgrade.
According to Nekias Duncan of fivereasonssports.com, Miami “is approaching the deadline with caution and careful inspection.” The Heat won’t compromise their cap flexibility and want to avoid jeopardizing the positive chemistry this group has developed.
If the Miami Heat are going to make a move, trading for San Antonio Spurs veteran big-man LaMarcus Aldridge would be interesting. He would fit with the team’s current starting group, and his new ability to stretch the floor would maintain the space players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo need on the offensive end.
