Heat Nation should be glad the Miami Heat remain intact
The Miami Heat didn’t make any moves at the 2017 NBA trade deadline, and that is just fine.
Another NBA trade deadline has come and gone, but everyone on the Miami Heat is staying put.
Having started off with the Sacramento Kings trading DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans just moments after the 2017 NBA All-Star Game wrapped up, many were sure this would be a trade deadline to remember.
However, things seemingly went downhill from there.
Sure, there were other deals made.
Like seven-year Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson heading off to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
And of course, there was still excitement in the countdown. Twitter notifications on for the likes of Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Stein. Nights spent staying up that extra hour, just in case anything was announced. Phone batteries drained from countless conversations regarding possible trades, on just about every medium possible.
But all in all, this year was… lackluster.
Especially to Miami Heat fans.
Yes, following 3 pm ET on Thursday, much of Heat Nation was let down or even upset at president Pat Riley for not making a move. Confused over how the Heat were barely even mentioned in trade rumors. Annoyed at the possibility of remaining so-called mediocre.
(Because somehow, there are still firm believers in tanking out there.)
It seems Miami actually made the right call though.
While participating in trade deadline chaos is always fun, dealing away players just to do so, is never a good idea.
The Heat certainly had fringe guys they could have shopped around. In fact, according to reports, they did. Both Wayne Ellington and Josh McRoberts were apparently up for discussion, even in terms of a larger, packaged deal. Which many took to mean the likes of Luke Babbitt and possibly even Josh Richardson, who is set to return from injury on Friday when the team faces the Atlanta Hawks.
But clearly, no one took the bait. Or at least, no one with a return that Riley approved of.
However, some fans wondered why management stopped at that.
Why were assets like Goran Dragic and/or Hassan Whiteside not on the chopping block as well?
After all, with both stars playing high-level basketball as of late, their trade values have never been higher. An argument that could work, if either (or both) were not working well in Miami’s system.
Which is simply not the case.
Averaging 20.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists a game in 34.3 minutes, Dragic is running the floor perfectly. Between continuing to be productive as a scorer and recently finding his groove as a playmaker as well, he is Riley’s dream point guard. He does not just produce individually, but consistently makes those around him better too.
(What is that d-word the franchise is all about? Ah yes, development.)
And sure, that would be quite a draw for any team. Especially one having fallen into a similar youth movement. But one has to keep in mind both sides of a trade. Could anyone currently available really have matched Dragic’s value? Not only on paper, but also in consideration of fitting into the organization’s culture?
Because remember, Riley has never been your average business man. He takes to heart more than just statistics and salaries.
Similarly, Whiteside has finally let down his guard and embraced the Heat’s lifestyle as well. Gone are the days of the 27-year-old holding grudges over missed opportunities and being overlooked. A new, more mature center has evolved, one that Riley potentially lost Dwyane Wade over. One that is averaging 16.8 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per matchup in 32.9 minutes.
(Which may not be Cousins’ 27.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists a contest in 34.4 minutes, but then again Whiteside does not get ejected every few games. Just saying.)
The point? Currently, there is no need to shake things up in South Beach. From key players to off-the-benchers, everyone in Miami has their role. And for the most part, perform it pretty darn well.
An undrafted guard earning a four-year, $50 million contract just two seasons later does not just happen by chance.
Nor does a 13-0 winning streak.
So shake off that no-trade disappointment. Enough with doubting Riley.
This is Miami Heat basketball.
Next: Why the Miami Heat didn't make a move at the NBA trade deadline
There is no losing.