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5 potential draft-day trades the Heat can make

By Wes Goldberg

Feb 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes up to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the second half at Barclays Center. Maimi won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes up to block a shot by Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the second half at Barclays Center. Maimi won 108-99. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) puts up a shot while guarded by Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) during the third quarter at TD Garden. The Celtics won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) puts up a shot while guarded by Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) during the third quarter at TD Garden. The Celtics won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

5. A borderline All-Star

Miami gets: Brook Lopez
Brooklyn gets: No. 14, Tyler Johnson

Let’s take a look at the situations these two teams are in: Brooklyn needs draft picks and young talent, Miami wants to take a leap into the playoffs. This deal probably gets both of these things done.

The Nets valued Johnson (probably more than any other team in the league) last summer, signing him to a four-year, $50 million offer sheet. They’d be able to add him to its backcourt, while also acquiring the 14th pick in the draft.

(Only one problem. Tyler Johnson cannot be traded to Brooklyn until July 10. That means this wouldn’t be able to happen on draft day, June 22. However, I suppose Miami could agree to the deal on draft day and complete it a few days later, or swap the pick for Lopez, then send Tyler Johnson in a separate trade later.)

The Heat get Brook Lopez, a 29-year-old bigman who reinvented himself as a 3-point shooter last season–as Miami is well aware. Lopez made seven of his 14 3-pointers against the Heat during a Jan. 25 game in which he finished with 33 points. Lopez, with his new-found perimeter game, could actually pair well with Hassan Whiteside in the frontcourt. It would also give the Heat a trio of three near-All Stars and elevate them to playoff contention.

Miami would still be able to re-sign one of Dion Waiters and James Johnson. They could roll out a starting lineup of Dragic, Waiters, Justise Winslow, Lopez and Whiteside, with Josh Richardson and Rodney McGruder coming off the bench.

Next: Heat value versatility in NBA mock draft

Lopez will become a free agent after the 2017-18 season, but the Heat in this case would have his Bird Rights and can go over the cap to re-sign him, so they’d actually have more flexibility next summer to add someone else to the mix.

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