The Miami Heat could be in need of a starting point guard after this offseason. With both of their main point guards potentially leaving this summer, Pat Riley should be on the lookout for new options.
Goran Dragic has a team option, which the Miami Heat have the ability to pick up. However, the fact that it’s worth $19.4 million will have a big impact on whether or not they decide to bring him back.
Declining the option would free up some cap space, but accepting it means the Heat could use Dragic as a trade piece. It’s a very tricky situation to navigate.
Miami’s other point guard, Kendrick Nunn, will be a restricted free agent this offseason. He could fetch some big deals on the open market, and although the Heat can match any offer he gets, they’ll have to think long and hard about whether or not it’s worth it.
If both of those players were to leave, the Miami Heat would have no point guards on the roster. Jimmy Butler can be the primary ball-handler, but having an actual point guard is a must.
Luckily for them, one team has recently expressed interest in trading their two young guards. The San Antonio Spurs are reportedly open to trading both Dejounte Murray and Derrick White.
Zach Harper of The Athletic relayed the message that league sources say “Murray and Derrick White could both be gettable.” These are two players the Miami Heat should take special interest in this summer.
Murray is a young point guard who has emerged as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. At 6-4, his defense combined with solid rebounding and passing skills makes him an ideal candidate to run Miami’s offense.
As for White, he’s a 6-4 combo guard that would thrive at either the one or the two. He’s an above-average defender and had a breakout year last season.
The San Antonio Spurs could be looking to completely restructure their roster this offseason. Both these players have similar playstyles, and trading one would open up more opportunities for the other.
As the Spurs enter what they hope to be a short rebuild, picks and young assets should be their top priorities. The Heat don’t have many picks, but they do have a couple of young pieces to send out in a deal.
Both KZ Okpala and Precious Achiuwa are under contract and could be of interest to the Spurs. With DeMar DeRozan leaving in free agency, they could use a young wing. As for Achiuwa, he could be a project player whilst backing up Jakob Poeltl.
In addition, the Heat have their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks available to send out in a trade. They also have a couple of second-rounders.
If Pat Riley wants to get really wild, he could trade Tyler Herro in a deal for both San Antonio guards. It would certainly improve the team defensively, but they would lose the dynamic scoring of Herro.
Both Murray and White would improve the ceiling of the Miami Heat right now and in the long run. Should they look into striking a deal?