The Miami Heat just can’t trade Kendrick Nunn, so why not extend one of your best right now?
At this very point and if you’re Miami, you can’t trade Kendrick Nunn and still say you’re doing all you can to win. He has been one of your best players this season and as a matter of fact, it shows.
Take this piece of evidence for example.
Heat's best 2-man lineups during their 5-game winning streak (min. 50 minutes)
— Christian Hernandez (@BoutDameTime) February 28, 2021
1. Nunn & Iguodala | +32.9 net | 61 min
2. Nunn & Robinson | +22 net | 116 min
3. Nunn & Adebayo | +21.6 net | 122 min
4. Olynyk & Robinson | +12.8 net | 91 min
5. Nunn & Butler | +11.7 net | 147 min
While that isn’t a definitive story or the end all be all, he’s been apart of everything good over the Heat’s arguable best stretch of ball this season. He has had his hands everywhere, literally.
He’s rebounding like a mad man. He’s distributing like a real lead guard.
He’s active, aggressive, and as locked in on defense as I have ever seen him. And my lord… my lord…, we already knew what he can do scoring the rock!
I would dare to say… he’s even gotten better there too! He has more wiggle in his game throughout.
Be that along the perimeter, coming in and out of his breaks, cuts, moves, or fakes, and it is also especially noticeable in his drive game. Basically, Kendrick Nunn has played himself into the untradable category and though for a superstar of the highest order, it could still happen, I doubt that opportunity arises.
Kendrick Nunn has absolutely helped the Heat and this version should stick around Miami for a long time. If this version does, indeed, stick around from a form perspective for Nunn, the Heat should make that “long time” more of a reality than a cute little narrative for us.
That’s why they shouldn’t only keep him or not trade him, but they should be looking to extend him. The price is only going up from here.