Miami Heat: Should They Make Any Moves Before The NBA Trade Deadline?
First, it should be noted here that there are more than a few players who would be considered “untouchable” for the Heat. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are the centerpieces of the team and of the modern Heat Culture.
They are not going anywhere.
Tyler Herro is in the middle of a breakout season and is displaying all-star potential. While that could lead to some enticing offers, Miami would be wise to avoid mentioning his name in any trade conversations, considering his growth as a player and also because of the love he receives from the fans.
In reality, there are probably only two players who the Heat could involve in a trade—KZ Okpala and Duncan Robinson. Starting with Okpala, while he has shown flashes of potential for the Heat and has stepped up when his number is called, he still hasn’t quite lived up to his potential yet.
If the Heat were to trade him, they wouldn’t get much back for him, but it could free up a roster spot in case any other players become available who might be better with the team. Trading Duncan Robinson would certainly make things interesting though.
This season, the sharpshooter has struggled to maintain his consistency from previous years. As a result, his shooting percentages are significantly lower.
However, he has started to pick things up recently. It is likely that there are several teams who would want to add Duncan Robinson to their roster purely for his shooting ability.
As the roster stands right now, Duncan Robinson would be the one player Miami could trade to get the most value back in return. However, they might not want to trade him.
His shooting was a key part of their NBA Finals run in 2020. His three-point shooting threat helps space the floor, which is crucial in helping Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo to operate most effectively.
If he is on the floor with several other shooters like Gabe Vincent or Max Strus, the floor is opened up wide. There is also the fact of his mere impact, as even when he isn’t hitting, he still tilts defenses.