5 reasons Miami Heat should take Ben Simmons in a Damian Lillard trade
By Seth Quinn
Reason #2: The Miami Heat can afford to do it
Simmons’ remaining $83.5 million is a huge number to take back in a trade, but Miami has the salaries to make it work. Kyle Lowry is an expiring contract at $29.6 million, meaning he could be an appealing veteran or a buyout candidate for the Blazers.
Herro makes $27 million next season and should serve as a young win-now player who can get even better in a bigger role with the Nets. Duncan Robinson makes $18.1 million and would fit well next to fantastic defenders like Mikal Bridges and Nic Claxton. Add Caleb Martin’s $6.8 million, another solid 3-and-D role player who would likely head to the Nets, and you’ve got a total of $81.5 million.
Throw in at least one of the younger assets like 18th pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Nikola Jovic, and the Heat can plausibly reach $83.5 million. While the Heat would be gutting their roster to do this, they would be on a similar level to the Phoenix Suns in terms of top-end talent, meaning veteran minimum players would want to sign with them to fill out the roster. As long as ownership can stomach moving so much salary, the Heat can make this trade happen.