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Miami Heat: 4-team trade idea; Griffin, Wall, Drummond, Barnes, and more

By Trey Flynn

Head coach Erik Spoelstra (L) and President Pat Riley (R) of the Miami Heat talk (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Head coach Erik Spoelstra (L) and President Pat Riley (R) of the Miami Heat talk (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 18: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena on January 18, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Miami 98-93. 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 (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 18: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Miami Heat at Little Caesars Arena on January 18, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Miami 98-93. 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 (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Heat decide to double down with hefty contracts

In this trade idea, the Miami Heat move on from their D-league hero Hassan Whiteside, their coveted young star Josh Richardson, and the obvious trade assets in Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder. In return, Miami does the opposite of what fans are expecting, instead of getting draft assets, Pat Riley double downs with his hefty cap team by grabbing more constrained cap in Blake Griffin and John Wall, who both happen to be All-Star at the backend of their prime (except, possibly Griffin).

Hear me out, most fans and analysts romanticize draft picks, but what could Riley do with his current players on his payroll? He can’t move anyone that isn’t J-Rich, Winslow, and Adebayo, except – maybe – Wayne Ellington for a 1st round pick, so instead, try and grab overpaid All-Stars. And while Griffin is having the best season of his career, he was still criticized only a few months ago as being one of the league’s most overpaid borderline superstars, much like All-Star John Wall.

The fact of the matter is, the Heat cannot tank with their current roster, and they can’t get a home-court advantage playoff spot with their current roster. And while the obvious answer is to wait it out, this roster is on contract, essentially, for at least three more years.

I don’t mean to be a broken record, but Pat Riley is not waiting that long to win games.

Next. 3-game losing streak; Heat full of superficial, overpaid role players. dark

In conclusion, this trade column was a bit crazy, but I don’t believe it was far-fetched, as I think all of these teams are better off 5 years from now making this move, rather than keep their middling rosters.

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