The Miami Heat have been unsuccessful, thus far, in acquiring one of the big fish on the NBA trade market. Presumably, Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell in the eyes of most, asking price, available assets, or willingness to accommodate either by either involved side has halted most of those proceedings.
With that, you have to believe that contingency plans are being implemented. In fact, one executive seems to believe the Miami Heat have their eyes set on their “Plan B” already.
Here’s what one anonymous executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy.com.
"If you want to give up [Tyler] Herro before you pay him and you want to move [Duncan] Robinson, you would have to add a pick, but those two guys and Omer [Yurtseven], that might be enough to get Hayward if the Hornets decide to reconfigure. It’s a short-term move for Miami, but they need to make their move now. You can play him at the 3 and go big or go small at the 4. He’s a guy they’ve had interest in before."
First off, that’s a lot going on there. That’s something to get to later though.
But it’s more to sort through than that. Let’s take a look.
Miami Heat Rumors: Gordon Hayward Not A Terrible Move, Just Not The Best One
When you look at Gordon Hayward as a player, he could fit well with what the Miami Heat want to do. As mentioned above, he could play the three or the four position and fill in the void left by P.J. Tucker, perhaps in an elevated capacity even.
He’s a good player and that can’t be denied. Here’s why it wouldn’t be the best move for the Miami Heat though.
Back to the “lot” that’s going on in the report.
Why would the Miami Heat send out all that for Hayward?
Moving Tyler Herro “before paying him” to take on Hayward’s $30 and $31 million dollars over the next two seasons isn’t exactly a win. Some will say it is if you can also move Duncan Robinson’s salary, but that might not necessarily be the case either.
Even with Herro set to make nearly that much per over the life of his next deal and Robinson’s $18 million per average, the potential value of production to cost ratio still might be better with what those two can offer the team from the perspective of winning.
Miami Heat: Hayward Helps Fill Hole, But Can’t Account For Projected Package
After all that, they would still reportedly have to add a pick and a talented young big that, though needs to work on his defense, still has a lot to like about him in Omer Yurtseven? That doesn’t make sense.
It’s too much to give up for a guy that doesn’t make you a surefire contender after you move what it takes to land him. If it were just one of Robinson or Herro, picks, and perhaps Yurtseven, it makes it look better but you still don’t know.
In essence, you are pretty certain Hayward can fill the void left by P.J. and give you more from an offensive perspective. But can he do that and account for what they could potentially be losing in Herro, Robinson, and Yurtseven?
That’s the question. And the safe answer is no.
That’s why, though it wouldn’t be a terrible move, it’s not the best one for the Miami Heat either.