Miami Heat Roundtable: What’s the deal with Wayne Ellington?
At this point, do you think the organization should move Josh Richardson, in hopes of adding a so-called star?
Eyrich: No. Why add a so-called star if it means losing the best young talent on the roster? Yes, he went through a small slump and he’s not at an All-Star level just yet… but he’s right there. The team benefits almost every time he’s on the court. Josh Richardson is 25 years old; there will be some growing pains, but I’d rather deal with them now than see him dominate with another team for years to come.
Campbell: It all depends on what the Heat could get for him via a trade. He’s excelled this season but I don’t think he can be a top 25-30 player in the NBA. That’s not a knock on him; he still has time to improve at 25-years-old. But the Heat aren’t a patient organization. They want to win now. Thats one the reason why I love them. They always try to improve. If the Heat traded Richardson to Minnesota for Jimmy Butler, I wouldn’t have been mad sick, since I know how good Butler is. For the right player and/or contract, I think they should do it.
Johnson: What’s the point, really? Unless Miami can fabricate another Heatles team—which I highly doubt, given this rosters relative youth and apparent lack of NBA connections—I can’t support trading Richardson. At best, Miami secures someone near Khris Middleton’s ability. These are guys who, while major contributors, have yet to develop the star power that up-and-coming-teams need (CJ McCollum, Jayson Tatum, Buddy Hield and Zach LaVine are similar, in that they will or have commanded a nice contract when the time comes, but are still players who require a successful system to be truly effective.) Unless Miami could secure a deal that clears cap space, in addition to securing a budding star, dealing Richardson is just as much of a gamble as keeping him.
Rahming: If a so-called star was available in trade talks without Miami giving up a pick or Bam Adebayo, I’d say do it right away. I think the roster is stacked with athletes who would compliment a bonafide star, but I don’t believe that Richardson is the answer. Maybe in a few years since he’s only 25, but not right now. I remember him getting a few minutes per game in his rookie season. He was a great knock-down shooter, who always seemed to be at the right place at the right time in both ends of the court. Now he’s forced to handle the ball a lot and it’s plainly visible. Many of his passes don’t lead to made baskets, his dribble moves aren’t where they need to be, which can be evidenced in his inability (or unwillingness to get to the basket), since he’s 38 percent from behind the arc but is taking seven of them a game; he’ll score the ball, but 41 percent from the field is not the mark of a star player.