Here at All U Can Heat, we’ll be running a series in which we build and contemplate (fake) trades between the Miami Heat and all 29 other NBA teams. In part three, a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While it was relatively low-key, a recent move certainly has some ramifications for the Miami Heat.
The Atlanta Hawks recently announced they had signed forward Luke Babbitt to a one-year deal. Last season, Babbitt started in 55 of his 68 games with the Heat. While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, Babbitt’s ability to stretch the floor was an underrated trait at the 4-spot for head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Granted, recently re-signed James Johnson was the team’s superior player at the position, and was the go-to player for Spoelstra heading down the stretch of games. But Babbitt’s departure is going to leave some minutes to fill in the rotation.
One current option is the returning Justise Winslow, now entering his third season in the league. But with a limited outside game, Winslow doesn’t fit the mold of player with which Babbitt was utilized by coach Spoelstra.
One such player who could be acquired to assist in this role is Doug McDermott of the Oklahoma City Thunder. McDermott finished last season with the Thunder after spending two and a half seasons as a member of the Chicago Bulls.
The No. 11 overall selection of the Bulls in 2014, McDermott certainly hasn’t set the world on fire since entering the season. But to be fair to McDermott, he hasn’t been afforded a great amount of consistent opportunity.
In 183 career games, McDermott has started on just nine occasions. Having played alongside high usage players in Chicago such as Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose, McDermott then played alongside Russell Westbrook, who set an all-time NBA record last season for usage rate with a staggering 40.8.
Under coach Spoelstra’s “positionless basketball” mantra, and without a current All-Star on the roster, the Heat represent a great situation for McDermott. With ball handlers on the Heat roster consisting of Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters and the aforementioned Johnson, McDermott’s spot-up abilities would be invaluable.
Last season, McDermott averaged 9.0 points in 22.8 minutes per game, which included shooting at a 37.0 percent clip from three. Furthermore, 84.2 percent of his made field goals came from an assist. With the drive and kick games of the likes of Dragic and Waiters, the injection of McDermott would be a terrific addition to the Heat’s rotation.
The Thunder’s offseason addition of All-Star Paul George is likely to see McDermott’s playing time erode even further.
Last season with the Heat, Rodney McGruder saw significant playing time as a rookie, primarily due to the absences of Winslow and guard Josh Richardson. But with the return of this duo to full health, McGruder’s court time is not forecast to be regular.
However with the Thunder, McGruder’s ability to back up both the 2 and 3 spots via stellar defense and the ability to hit the open three, would be a worthwhile addition for the Thunder and their ambitions to challenge the elite in the Western Conference. Also, young center A.J. Hammons is included in the proposed deal for salary cap purposes.
Next: 5 free agents the Heat should target in 2018
Overall, this presents the Heat with the opportunity to not only acquire a former lottery pick, but to round out their rotation following a productive summer.