The Miami Heat are serious! If you didn’t think so prior to the breaking news before Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline, then you should certainly be aware now.
Pat Riley and the Heat saw their backs up against the wall. Making it all the way to an NBA Finals last season and sputtering at times during this season, someone finally said that enough was enough.
That guy was likely Pat Riley, who swung for the fences, and got the job done.
Victor Oladipo is now a member of the Miami Heat. Talked about for some time now, Oladipo is finally there.
The Miami Heat finally landed Victor Oladipo and potentially a few more pieces to go along with him.
He should not only bring his raw scoring ability and defense, but he has the ability to run a team. With a lack of a true point guard option, he fills multiple roles for a Miami Heat team that’s now as dangerously equipped as any team in the league.
That wasn’t the only move though. As it took Kelly Olynyk to land Oladipo from Houston, Riley and the Heat quickly brought in a guy capable of filling that KO role.
Landing Nemanja Bjelica from the Sacramento Kings, the Heat got a guy that can hit the three and ,hopefully, rebound for the Heat, an area that they needed help in.
That’s not it though. Many think they are the frontrunners to bring in LaMarcus Aldridge after his buyout is official with San Antonio.
Once LaMarcus Aldridge completes a buyout with the Spurs, the Miami Heat are expected to emerge as a frontrunner to sign him, sources tell ESPN. Aldridge plans to talk with several teams before finalizing a decision.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Needless to say, Thursday was a great day for the Miami Heat and it may just get better. They do face off against the Portland Trailblazers Thursday evening, so the depth in that game might be an issue.
However, the jolt of energy provided by these moves might be enough to get the job done. You also can’t forget about another of their recent acquisitions, Trevor Ariza, who is sure to get a ton of run in that game.
So there are two positives. In any event, the Heat were winners on Thursday and these moves put them in prime position to, again, challenge for a title.