Miami Heat: Picturing the rotation without Derrick Jones Jr

What would the Miami Heat rotation look like without Derrick Jones Jr, should he opt to sit out the NBA’s restart in Orlando?

The Miami Heat won’t likely be without Derrick Jones Jr when they finish out this season in Orlando, Florida. But even so, they need to be prepared for that outcome.

Jones was the first (and so far only) Miami player to test positive for COVID-19. The quarantine process that follows testing positive is two weeks of absolute isolation and no physical exercise.

Following that, provided he still has no symptoms, Jones would be free to rejoin the team. That would place the swingman’s return right at the Heat’s travel day for Orlando, July 9th.

As of now, Jones is asymptomatic. If things begin trending in the wrong direction however, it’s not hard to believe the upcoming free agent might choose his health over the end to 2020’s season.

Other household names are already withdrawing themselves from the season’s finish, including: Trevor Ariza, DeAndre Jordan, Avery Bradley, and Wilson Chandler.

A lot of teams will look like shells of themselves in Orlando, and while the Heat are largely healthy, Jones’ absence shouldn’t be disregarded in the slightest.

Where would that leave the Miami Heat in their quest for a championship?

Jones was a key rotation player for Miami, and started in 15 of their 51 games this year. His absence would not only be a blow to their rotation, but defense as well. The 23-year old forward was averaging 1.1 steals per game and posting a 108 defensive rating per 100 possessions.

Duncan Robinson was the longterm starter at small forward. But even at 26 years old, can the Heat expect a second year sharpshooter to pick up some of the workload on defense?

In this instance, look for recently acquired Andre Iguodala to see a bigger role than previously expected. Coach Erik Spoelstra was playing him no more than 24 minutes per game prior to the NBA’s shutdown. But he recently made comments suggesting he’s ready to step up for Miami.

The veteran forward was as versatile on the floor as he’s always been, albeit with a slight dip in production, when on the court for the team so far. He averaged 4.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game in his 14-game stint with the team before the break.

His Per-36 numbers suggest that Iguodala could contribute on an even larger platform: 8.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.2 blocks respectively. Small sample size? Absolutely, but those numbers are eerily similar to Jones’ production.

All of a sudden that trade for the 2015 Finals MVP is looking a lot better, huh Heat fans?

If the Miami Heat are to be without Derrick Jones Jr, now and in the longterm, Andre Iguodala should be expected to occupy (even if only halfway) the void left in his absence. But until you hear otherwise expect the young swingman to still suit up for the team in Orlando.