The Miami Heat are in a similar position as they were last season at around the mid-season point. They are a pretty good team, with the potential and vision to be a lot better, that also may just be a few tinkers away from another NBA title run.
While that is still a ways away, it isn’t that hard to envision. Last season saw them ship out what was essentially Justise Winslow, in exchange for Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill, and Andre Iguodala.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Miami Heat did it again this season. While the rumored talks were reported on Tuesday night, a deal between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat was completed on Wednesday, revolving around Trevor Ariza.
The Miami Heat just made a deal for Trevor Ariza, but some think they aren’t done yet.
In exchange for his services, the Miami Heat sent back Meyers Leonard and a second round pick down the road. To be fair and honest all at the same time, anytime you can acquire a player like Ariza and in the Heat’s situation, nonetheless, you do it 1000 times out of 1000 because you are technically stealing by only having to give up a second round pick and a guy that you probably were looking to get off of anyway.
Is is a shocker though that Pat Riley was able to pull off a deal like this? No, not at all.
Some executives around the league, specifically the Eastern Conference, see this as only the appetizer though. Here is a tweet from NBA reporter, Tim Reynolds, that highlights the mentioned notion.
Eastern Conference GM: "I would bet that Miami isn't done dealing."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 17, 2021
While a few of the names associated with the Heat have already found new homes, some of them haven’t. It wouldn’t be that big of a surprise at all to see Pat Riley and the Miami Heat swing a few more deals.
Again, guys like P.J. Tucker have already landed in new places, with him being sent to Milwaukee on Wednesday. There are still guys out there though, like DeMarcus Cousins, who’s been free for around what seems like two weeks or so at this point.
What it truly says is this though. The rest of the league is paying very close attention to the Miami Heat or that the Heat has their attention, at least.
The Miami Heat are a lot better with Trevor Ariza in tow and if they can continue to add pieces, perhaps just one, then that just might be the one to put them completely over the top.