The Miami Heat are playing the ultimate game of cat and mouse, chess, connect 4 or whatever your favorite little reactive strategy game is. The Miami Heat are dead in the middle of it all and if they don’t become a bit more careful, they’ll end up playing Twister, naked and alone.
With that being said though, there are a ton of names out there on the rumor mill. From rumors surrounding LaMarcus Aldridge to Victor Oladipo, there are quite a few guys to choose to chase if you’re Miami.
With all of that being said and in the background though, there is one guy that has seemingly risen to the top of the heap of the desired players list. That would be Orlando Magic All-Star big man, Nikola Vucevic.
The Miami Heat are in the market for help, but are they willing to pay for Nikola Vucevic?
Here’s the thing though, they may not even really want to move him. If they do though, it would take a “monster package”, according to NBA reporter, Keith Smith.
Here is the sense other teams are getting from the Orlando Magic:
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) March 9, 2021
Vucevic - Not really available. Would take a monster package.
Gordon - More available, but Orlando still wants a healthy return
Fournier - Available, won't take all that much due to expiring
Ross - See Gordon
That begs of the next question. How far should the Miami Heat go?
Is Vucevic worth a “monster package”? Should the Heat be the team that relinquishes such a package for his services?
These are all good questions and luckily, they all have finite yet simple answers. When thinking about how far the Miami Heat and Pat Riley should go to try to land Vuce, they should go all-in.
That should also be within reason though. They should go as far as they think they need to, but up until the point where it becomes a total fleece from the other side.
That seems subjective and relative, because it is but here and when dealing with a guy like Pat Riley, there is a hard line there and he is the guy that has to be trusted the most in these scenarios to know where it begins and ends.
When thinking about whether Vucevic is worth a “monster package”, that’s an easy answer too. Perhaps someone missed the categorization of “All-Star” that was attached to his name earlier and combined with what he shows you every night that he suits up, that’s a simple “yes, he’s likely worth whatever they ask”.
Lastly, when thinking about whether the Miami Heat should be the team that gives the “monster package” for his services or not, that’s the toughest of the three, but not too tough. They should be in the running.
If a team is willing to shoot themselves in the foot to land him, the Heat shouldn’t go that far. Pat Riley knows what “that far” is and should be able to keep the Heat from going there.
That also speaks to his ability to be able to see when the negotiations are getting to pricey. If there is anyone to want doing the dealing, it’s him and you have to believe that he’ll play it the way it needs to be played.
Hopefully, it finishes with Vucevic changing addresses… but staying in the Sunshine State.