The Miami Heat have quite a few things going on for them right now. With the proceedings along the NBA trade market simply but literally, just crawling along, the Heat will have to pull the levers on something soon, one would imagine.
Even with all of the hope of bringing in new talent though, let’s say they don’t. At that point, you are left wondering how to improve on the group from last year, while also trying to fill the hole that was left by P.J. Tucker as he headed to Philadelphia.
As far as the gap that Tucker left goes, there are options out there, as well as internal opportunities to fill it.
Guys like Harrison Barnes, Kyle Kuzma, and others are certainly worth inquiring about, while Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, and Darius Days, among others, should all have a say in the internal filling of that role.
Miami Heat: Duncan Robinson Deserves Chance To Bounce Back For Them
When it comes to, actually, improving on the remaining group that was one win away from the NBA Finals last year, you first think about the fact that their third and fourth best players and their second and third best scorers when all is equal in Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry, were shells of themselves.
The next thing you think about is all of the guys on that roster who are bound to improve in the coming year.
One of those guys, a guy that is looking more to re-emerge than initially emerge, is Duncan Robinson.
Earning nearly $100 million dollars from Miami Heat prior to last season, Robinson didn’t exactly make good on that deal last season. A career 40.6 percent three-point shooter on 7.9 attempts, Robinson shot just 37.2 percent on 7.9 attempts last season.
Now, that doesn’t look bad, at all, and would be great for most guys, however, it is just good to average for Robinson.
Miami Heat: Even If Only Until Trade Deadline, He Should Get That shot
There are still two key things there though. First off, man, this is what it must feel like to be spoiled.
It has to be a salary thing, because to poo-poo a guy shooting 37 percent on eight attempts from range would be laughable in any other situation but you are, again, talking about a career 40 percent shooter from range. He is also the one that shot nearly 41 and 45 percent on over eight attempts in the previous two seasons.
Secondly though, because he didn’t completely fall off the map, just not high enough for Miami Heat supporters’ liking, he deserves a shot to rectify the situation. Here’s the thing.
If the Miami Heat need Duncan Robinson’s deal to facilitate a bigger trade for one of Pat Riley’s deemed whales, then that’s one thing. But the notion of moving him to “get off of his contract”, at this point, may not be the brightest thing to do.
He earned the money because he was and likely, still is, an all-world talent as a shooter. And again, mind you, he still shot 37 percent last season!
With all of that and even if it’s just until the next NBA Trade Deadline day, Duncan Robinson deserves a chance to bounce back. If he can, then he’ll be worth twice as much as the flexibility provided by not having his contract on the books.
Book it!