Acquiring Jrue Holiday would give the Miami Heat a plethora of possibilities in the summers of 2020 and 2021.
Two weeks ago, Pat Riley assured Miami Heat fans that changes would be made. The team president also did not hesitate to announce to anyone listening that the Heat are not stuck with any contracts the public may believe they cannot get out of.
Hearing Riley begin to speak like this creates a greater sense of shakeup than his outlook on retooling from an unattractive summer of 2020 free agency list, headlined by Anthony Davis and not much else in the form of franchise changers.
There lies where a shift in philosophy should take place:
"“The Heat could take a conservative approach, sign their own first-round pick, add minimum players and use 2019-20 as a bridge season to next summer. Or they could use that future cap space to upgrade the roster now.” (Bobby Marks, ESPN)"
Marks even went as far to suggest that upgrade be, moving Goran Dragic and Ryan Anderson’s combined $34 million—next season—for Mike Conley’s. But better yet, why not make a call to the New Orleans Pelicans.
With a likely overhaul coming in New Orleans, via a Davis trade, trying to poach Jrue Holiday should become a priority for the Miami Heat.
Sure, the Pelicans’ new vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has said not to overlook the possibility that he may convince Davis to come back. Be clear though, that was more about trying to regain the tiniest bit of leverage than showing confidence in getting his superstar to rescind a trade request. Meaning the new regime could be in the need of cap space for their fresh start.
Players like Anderson and Dragic give options to teams like New Orleans, because they could be held until the end of the season for relief or have their expiring contracts flipped for more assets.
On the Miami side, Holiday would not only be coming with E’Twaun Moore, he would be carrying an extra year and $26.9 million. Thus, cutting into the Miami Heat’s available cash for the summer of 2020. However, it all goes back to the theme of options.
It is a no-brainer that Holiday would be an upgrade over anyone on the current roster.
Beyond this year’s 21.2 points, 7.7 assists and 5.0 rebound average, Holiday would supply the ability to create scoring opportunities for others as well as play off the ball.
It is no secret that he has thrived when paired in the back court with point guards like Rajon Rondo and Elfrid Payton. So why would it not work to put Holiday next to Justise Winslow at the lead guard position?
And with that said, 2020’s focus could be to add a complimentary player from the free agency crop. Or not.
Smart money would be the Heat sneaking into the post season with the additions of Holiday, a rookie who can score and the rest of the roster. Then repeating that again the next summer with the hopes of landing another free agent in the loaded 2021 class to go with a hopefully resigned Holiday and the only other players on the current roster who would be under contract—Josh Richardson, Winslow and Bam Adebayo.
For now, New Orleans continues to deny any trade intentions, however as soon as Davis is out of the door, it should be game on.