3 Reasons why the Miami Heat need to sign Trevor Ariza

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 16: Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets talks to the media after the game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 16, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Miami Heat should chase down free agent Trevor Ariza.

Though the Miami Heat are on the books for a major payout in the 2018-19 season, there’s one area in which they still have a leg up on the competition: time.

With the combination of a young core and pickings from G-League affiliate Sioux Falls Force, the Heat have a slight advantage when it comes to the timeline of its roster. Last year, Miami fielded 19 players, 14 of whom were under the age of 30. In a league that’s getting faster, stronger and flashier, having youth on your side is paramount for success.

Consider the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. At the time, the Warriors’ core consisted of a jumble of under-30 prospects. Steph Curry just turned 26, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were 24 apiece and starting forward Harrison Barnes made healthy contributions at just 22-years-old.

But youth wasn’t enough. Warriors’ general manager Bob Myers enlisted the help of veteran mercenaries to round out his killer squad. Shaun Livingston, Andrew Bogut and Leandro Barbosa each played integral roles, but none were more important than eventual NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala.

To compare the Heat and the Warriors is less unfair than it seems.

In the years since the LeBron James runs, Miami has steadily made gains, seeing increased contributions from a pair of players formerly known only as “Rook 1” and Rook 2”.

In addition to Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, boosts from Hassan Whiteside, Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters all created the illusion that Miami could claw their way to the top in the same fashion Golden State did – through home grown talent and smart basketball.

The illusion has been just that so far, and considering Miami’s salary cap troubles, the Heat might have to limit their offseason expectations.

For the right price, Miami needs their own Iguodala.

Miami needs Trevor Ariza.

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