As the 2021-22 league year dwindles to a close, the Miami Heat draw closer to the end of yet another successful season with title aspirations on their minds.
Although the roster lacks the true star power of other Eastern Conference foes, the Heat have managed to hold onto the 1st seed in the division for quite a while now through great coaching, hard work, and a team-oriented mindset.
The front office did a good job at patching some of the holes on the roster this past offseason but it remains to be seen if this year’s team can compete with those who have upper-echelon talents like Giannis or Kevin Durant.
That said, I believe they have as good a shot as any to win it all this year, but if that were to happen, back to the drawing board they go.
In my opinion, there’s really one of two directions the Heat can really go this offseason, and that’s either big-fish hunting for a disgruntled star such as Donovan Mitchell or going for a lower-tiered talent that upgrades a position of need.
Could the Miami Heat be targeting Christian Wood or PJ Washington?
As per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, if the Heat strike out on acquiring another Superstar to pair with Jimmy Butler and Co, the next targets could very well be RJ Washington or Christian Wood.
"Miami has hopes of adding a further frontcourt presence alongside Adebayo, sources said and has shown known interest in Christian Wood and PJ Washington. With the strong play of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus—shooting 38 percent and 40.4 percent from deep, respectively—the league’s shrewdest team strategists have come to view Robinson as expendable. Miami already gauged his value with several front offices before the February deadline, sources said, although no talks were considered serious."
As previously mentioned, the centerpiece of a deal that would bring back Washington or Wood would likely be fan-favorite Duncan Robinson. One of the pros of moving Robinson would be that Miami would likely avoid the luxury tax next season, something they’ve done nearly every season since 2013-14.
With the recent emergence of both Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, I could see the Heat wanting to move off of the remaining $64.2 million owed to Duncan. But in a trade for Washington or Wood, there would likely have to be additional assets tied to him in a trade.
What are your thoughts, Heat Nation?