After being rumored as a possibility earlier in the season, chatter is resurfacing around a potential Miami Heat trade for DeMar DeRozan.
While the Miami Heat are busy working on their second-round playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA’s rumor mill continues spinning. The lastest chatter involves the San Antonio Spurs, who most notably missed the playoffs this year for the first time since 1997.
The end of their dynasty has predictably spawned questions about their future.
Will head coach Gregg Popovich leave for the Brooklyn Nets? Should the franchise commit to the youth they’re developing in house? Or could they trade those players for an All-Star?
In his latest for CNBC, Jabari Young speculates that if San Antonio elects to trade someone like four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan, that the Miami Heat remain a realistic landing spot:
"“On the DeRozan front, he’ll likely decide to pick up his option. The Spurs could build around him, using the team’s bubble play as a roster model or trade him, too, should he opt out. DeRozan is close with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, and one agent forecast a possible Spurs-Heat package.”"
It’s not the first time we’ve heard DeRozan tied to Miami. As Young notes, he and Jimmy Butler are close friends, and it’s clear he belongs elsewhere should the Spurs embark on a rebuild.
DeRozan finished the regular season averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds nightly.
Would the Miami Heat be legitimately interested in DeMar DeRozan next year?
It’s hard to see Pat Riley and the Miami Heat front office pulling the trigger on a deal for DeRozan, even with just one year left on his contract. Mostly, because that last year is for $27-million.
If it was to dump off one of their larger salary guarantees, say that of Andre Iguodala or Kelly Olynyk, maybe they entertain it. But considering that the Spurs would most likely ask for compensation in any deal, it’s hard to wrap your head around this as a possibility.
DeRozan is an 11-year veteran and will be 31 years old going into next season. While he’s seen an incredible amount of regular-season success in his career, it has never translated into playoffs.
If there was a list of prerequisites for any third All-Star that could land in South Beach, it likely starts and ends with some sort of experience/previous success in the postseason. Riley and the front office want to be competing for a championship sooner than later.
While DeMar DeRozan can certainly help a team with those kinds of aspirations, it’s possible that there’s a far better fit than next year’s version of this Miami Heat team.
Until they’re able to complete trades and transactions, the Miami Heat will first have to finish out their playoff run. Game 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks will be on Wednesday night.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 pm est. Coverage will be provided by ESPN.