As the Miami Heat season progresses, scoring droughts are proving that a true No. 2 is needed. Here are a few thoughts on the topic.
The Miami Heat have been a very mercurial team in the 2019-20 season. Based primarily on their ability to get a bucket when they need to, they have seen themselves hit quite the lulls at times. Let’s look a bit deeper into the phenomenon.
Ben Simmons thrived without Joel Embiid. Embiid thrived without Simmons.
Put them together and they have been pretty rocky. Take them apart and they seem to flourish.
The simplest way to describe that is a disappointing Philadelphia 76ers season, however, the upside of the equation could be looked at as a luxury that teams like the Miami Heat do not currently have.
On paper, the Heat have two all-stars and a gang of complementary players. In reality, the team has one star and a few players with the possibility of developing. But as of now, there is no second player on par with Jimmy Butler who can pick up the slack when he is out of the lineup or the offense is slumping as it did with him on the bench against the Orlando Magic.
This is a fact that does not simply change after four straight victories or a blowout loss. A certainty not lost on Miami as they try to save their money for the summer of 2021.
Some would argue that Bam Adebayo is that man alongside Butler. Averaging 16.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game and an All-Star selection would appear to validate that, except for the fact Adebayo is still growing into his game and does not sustain enough aggression to singlehandedly take over games.
Ultimately, this is Miami’s biggest problem after trying to address their defensive woes with the additions of Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala.
The offense goes stale in stretches because the Heat lack another scorer who can get his own buckets by breaking defenses down off the dribble. A consistent threat, in that vein, has yet to grace this Miami roster–even when Tyler Herro is healthy.
Waiting for 2021 could yield the same stagnant results in the crunch. Unless Pat Riley turns his gift of plucking other team’s disgruntled stars into another Erik Spoelstra asset.
Bradley Beal-onomics
First on the disgruntled list, would be the Washington Wizards Bradley Beal.
The entire Heat offseason was spent with flirts and rumors of Beal making a future home in Miami. Of course, until he signed a two-year extension to keep him in Washington and untradeable before the summer.
The question is, will a year of enduring Washington’s bottom of the barrel roster make him more inclined to move?
Some surmised that Beal’s extension equated to a thirst for being the man. A status that has resulted in a 22-39 record, alongside seven losses where he put up 40-plus points and two where he put up 53 and 55.
Those who placed him in the no. 1 role did so seemingly forgetting that John Wall would be rejoining him in the lineup next season.
Why is that important? Because Beal and Wall have both acknowledged the difficulties of playing as a pair in the past. However, despite the dysfunction, the duo has made it to the playoffs in four of their seven seasons together.
Successful, yet, still questionable if their future as a tandem will ever truly align.
The star mesh would be less of an issue in Miami though. Jimmy Butler’s willingness to step aside and let his teammates shine would make for a good one-two punch in situations where the Heat usually sputter down the stretch.
Unfortunately, if you trust Beal’s word, Washington is the place where he is determined to end his career.
So, on to the next snubbed all-star who may be looking for a way out.
Are The Suns open on a Booker?
Whether it was trading for Jamal Mashburn, bringing in Rex Chapman and Derek Anderson, or drafting Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, it is no secret that team president Pat Riley has been fond of his Kentucky Wildcats alumni being under the Miami Heat umbrella.
Nevertheless, the one that got away, may be worth revisiting.
For various reasons—including already having Dwyane Wade—the Heat decided to pass on Devin Booker in favor of drafting Justise Winslow. Four and a half years later and that decision turned out to be a failure.
Like Beal, Booker’s individual statistics look great, but his team’s success is nonexistent.
Twice this year, Booker has wasted 40-point games on losses for the 24-38 Phoenix Suns. He is also almost two full seasons removed from declaring himself done with missing the playoffs. A feat that he will experience for the fifth time in a row.
Could that be enough to entice him into finally requesting a trade? If so, how many assets would Riley be ready to shed?
Acquiring Booker would surely require some sort of package that includes Herro. Which leads to a dilemma. The Heat could ignore the urge to engage with the Suns, banking on Herro becoming a Booker-type or they could bypass the future for an already polished product.
However, odds are the Suns will give coach Monty Williams at least another year of Booker and Deandre Ayton before hitting reset again.
So, in essence, Riley needs to take aim at a franchise and a scorer who both seem destined for a break.
Is Zach LaVine The Freak Athlete Heat Brother That DJJ Needs?
Enter the Chicago Bulls.
The last one and a half years have seen a near-player mutiny against head coach Jim Boylen, for a series of practices that players deemed inappropriate enough to get the NBA Players Association involved. Add in the rumored front office reboot, the potential reluctance to resign Boylen, and the frustrated looks from Zach LaVine aimed at the aforementioned coach throughout the season and the Bulls are poised to implode beyond their 21-41 record.
Things have gotten so bad that even the local papers are speculating that LaVine will find his exit by the end of 2022—if not sooner. Call it the $19.5 million move that Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg need to make happen.
The cap space will be there, however, the Bulls would have to find something desirable on the Miami Heat roster, starting with Kelly Olynyk’s expiring contract. A longshot, but so was the 2019-20 Miami revamp that saw the most untradeable contracts be moved.
The potential would be overwhelming.
LaVine, who averages 25.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 points per game, would not only give Miami a dangerous secondary perimeter option, he would be a bona fide no.1 scorer because of his ability to shoot, create off the bounce, and get to the bucket.
In a game of what-ifs, LaVine would fill a void that would move the Heat further up next season’s Eastern Conference standings, while keeping them a threat for the future if they strike out on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
These are a trio of possibilities for the Miami Heat. Either could serve to take them to the next level. How will Pat Riley and the crew act?