Two NBA Finals and three Eastern Conference Finals in four years. Somehow, the Miami Heat are still seen as an underdog until the so-called upsets finally happen.
However, that disbelief can’t become a reason for the Heat to settle with the popular label and keep running with overachieving squads, hoping it’s eventually enough to get a ring. With Jimmy Butler playing his final years as an elite playoff performer, this is the time to do what you can in your contending window.
Miami’s offseason has been centered around the possibility of landing Damian Lillard in a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. The lack of significant moves is understandable, but it will have to change at some point. And with major free agents out of the market, the Heat might have to improve its roster through trades.
We simulated three trades that would rip the underdog label off Miami and make this team a serious contender. Whether it is through adding another All-Star caliber player or depth pieces, these kind of moves may end up being necessary.
1. Miami improves their depth with an all-East deal
- Haywood Highsmith and Isaiah Livers would also join the Washington Wizards to make the deal work
Some might argue that Miami needs to add star power, but improving this roster’s depth could be just as impactful. That’s what this big trade would do.
The Heat would be moving on from Tyler Herro after endless rumors through the last couple of years and using that to form a frontcourt capable of terrorizing any offense with OG Anunoby and Bam Adebayo. Morris is a solid point guard with a career average of 39% from three-point range, and coming from a career-high 5.3 assists-per-game in Washington. He’d be going to Miami even before his debut in Detroit, after being traded from the Wizards earlier this off-season.
Porter Jr. had an important role in Golden State’s championship run in 2022, but is coming from a season shortened by a dislocated toe. Once healthy, he would be an improvement in the Heat’s bench rotation.
Besides Herro, Miami would use this trade to flip Robinson’s contract, making room to potentially extend Anunoby’s deal. Highsmith would also leave, joining the Wizards as a compensation for their facilitator role, alongside Pistons` Isaiah Livers.