The Miami Heat made moves at and after the NBA’s Trade Deadline this season and not out of luxury. Two of the guys that they brought in, through very different means, have been absolutely crucial in their late-season push towards the postseason.
Those two guys are Trevor Ariza and Dwayne Dedmon. They have both been essential in the Miami Heat’s game plan as of late.
Through 27 games played and 24 of them being starts for the Miami Heat, Ariza is averaging 9.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a steal per game. That’s primetime production from a guy who sat on his couch for most of the season, figuratively, as it can now be seen that he kept himself in good shape.
On the other end, Dedmon is producing at a high clip as well. Being one of the Miami Heat’s better players since he came aboard, he’s averaging 7.5 points and 5.7 rebounds across only 13.5 minutes played for Miami.
That doesn’t seem like a ton on Dedmon’s behalf, but it’s about the when more than the what for him. He allows the Miami Heat to still be productive, to contend even, when Bam Adebayo isn’t on the floor.
That’s worth its weight in gold to the Miami Heat alone and in itself. That also leans towards the reason why they should not only be looking to retain him this offseason, but Ariza as well.