Miami Heat Rumors: Layers to why D’Angelo Russell isn’t upgrade over Lowry

The Miami Heat are always a huge part of the chatter along the NBA rumor mill. For one, when a team wants action or a guy’s representative wants dominos to start falling, they just mention the Miami Heat.

With Pat Riley and the guys making the calls that they have, others know that if the Heat are on a guy’s scent, they’ll get their guy. Basically, invoking the Miami Heat’s name gets you movement—one way or another.

And the latest name that has been associated with the Miami Heat is a name that has moved a bit already in his young career. Here is the associated rumor.

That should lead to two questions though. The first is this.

Is this report to be taken seriously? Well, it’s not the first mention of such interest, so there’s that, and for what that is worth.

Secondly though, should the Miami Heat even be entertaining such noise of swapping out Kyle Lowry for D’Angelo Russell? Now, that is a question with a certain answer.

And that answer would be a resounding “no”. And though layered, tiered, and a bit more complex than some, here it is.

Miami Heat Rumors: Layers To Why D’Angelo Russell Isn’t Upgrade Over Lowry

When you think about D’Angelo Russell, yes, he can be very explosive on offense—at times. But that’s just it, he’s as streaky, if not more than Kyle Lowry can be at times.

Take this for example. On the year, Russell has as many games with more than 20 points as he does with less than 15 points.

For a team that would have to give up more than just Lowry to get the deal done, in all likelihood, is that same kind of spottiness truly an upgrade there?

It’s arguable, at best, which is a stalemate on offense but actually an answer in this particular situation.

In a deal like this, if it isn’t an “absolute certainty”, it isn’t worth it. And that’s just the offense, as the other side is comical.

Now, is that because of Russell’s ability there or the fact that even at his age and with less athleticism due to said age and actually, to begin with, Kyle Lowry still is a much better defender?

Miami Heat Would Be Setting Themselves Back By Dealing Lowry For Russell

Lowry isn’t a lockdown on-ball guy, but he adds to your defense, helps your scheme, and more than holds his own by making clutch plays on that side. Russell offers little to none of that.

There are no fancy explanations needed. Russell just isn’t a very good defender.

When you look at the playmaking aspect of it all, Russell is more the scoring guard than he is the pure point guard. And to be fair, Lowry has been more that across his career as well.

However, Lowry is more of a floor general than Russell is, naturally and via his experience, which is arguably as important as point production can be from that spot for the Miami Heat. Just take their last several games in example.

There have been times when you have to be honest and say to yourself, “the game flow and mechanics just aren’t as fluid without Lowry on the floor”. And that would be right.

There is also this last little tidbit, though a major aspect.

Not only is Kyle Lowry one of your best player’s best friends in the world, the godfather of Jimmy Butler’s child in fact, but Russell has a terrible blemish on his record when it comes to trust and chemistry. No need to drudge that up but two words should do the trick—Nick Young.

So, yea, though it’s a cute little idea to quench your thirst for some Trade Machine antics, it might not be such a good idea in reality. And the aforementioned reason, as layered as it may be, is why.