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The Miami Heat need to look beyond Chris Paul to win another NBA Championship

By Marcos Chisholm

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat in the first quarter at the Fiserv Forum on March 22, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat in the first quarter at the Fiserv Forum on March 22, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards throws a pass around Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first half at American Airlines Arena (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Although Miami’s interest in Giannis has not been confirmed, speculation of the Heat being in trade talks with the Washington Wizards for shooting guard Bradley Beal has risen as of late. Washington faces a tough challenge in deciding whether or not to build around him after he has averaged more than 20 points per game in the last 3 seasons, and it comes as no surprise that Miami has likely acknowledged how a successful deal for Beal would arguably add even more firepower than its signing of Jimmy Butler did.

Bradley Beal was one of only four players in the NBA last season that managed to shoot 45 percent from the field while still averaging more than 25 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game. Recent seasons in Washington have forced him to become more self-reliant in creating scoring chances inside the 3-point line since John Wall suffered a season-ending injury dating back to 2018 that will probably cost Wall this upcoming season as well.

Likely a key in the interest of the Heat also lies the fact that Beal has shot over 38 percent from beyond the arc throughout his entire career. He has become comfortable taking more than 6 attempts per game since the Wizards have become shorthanded, meaning that he could quite possibly provide a boost that Miami’s 3-point shooting has missed since shooting guard Wayne Ellington was sitting on the bench for the Heat.

Regardless of whether Pat Riley alluded to also placing a hold on trade talks for Beal or not, the Heat still would benefit from pursuing more 3-point shooting options.

Fresh off his second league title and an unrestricted free agent in 2021, the Lakers’ shooting guard Danny Green is arguably one of the best spot-up shooters and defenders in the league. Unlike other 3-point shooters that may overspecialize in their craft and become defensive liabilities, Green’s ability to play both sides of the ball has recently positioned him among the league leaders in the plus-minus margin.

Next. An in-depth 2019-2020 Season Preview of the team. dark

His perimeter defense played a major role in limiting Golden State’s 3-point shooting throughout parts of the NBA Finals. While the Miami Heat may not be able to land Green, players of his ilk are the ones that the Heat need to be targeting. This would definitely go a long way towards electrifying the offense and in theory, helping to support Miami’s efforts to play against modernized opposing offenses.

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