The Miami Heat must trade for a superstar now that it seems as if the trade bubble in the NBA has finally burst. Above it all, that should be the biggest takeaway from the Heat's first 10 games of the regular season.
Many will look at the Heat's "stellar" start to the season and think it may be time to double down on the continued development of their young core. However, I'd argue that their "strong" start to the year should point to the idea that they're perfectly crafted for a star player.
This is a team, with its deep and promising supporting cast, that should look to strike in the trade market when the iron is hot. Especially now that it appears there may be a trade bubble that has burst across the league, the Heat could seemingly land a star-level player for pennies on the dollar.
Two players that could seemingly become available in the next few months could be landed at a great discount. If Trae Young and Ja Morant do hit the trade block, it would go against everything the Heat have built themselves as to not pursue them.
Trading for the disgruntled superstar is the Heat's DNA
Over the decades of success, the Heat pursuing the disgruntled superstar (most of the time, discounted) is exactly who they've been. From Tim Hardaway to Shaquille O'Neal, and then to a certain extent Jimmy Butler, the Heat are a franchise that has largely taken advantage of these types of situations.
To completely abandon that philosophy now would be quite the pivot, especially with Pat Riley still the face of the front office.
There's certainly a level of risk in trading for a player like Young or Morant; I don't believe anyone is arguing against that idea. But, especially if you want to be successful in the NBA, you have to be willing to take chances.
And the Heat, for the most part, have always lived with the idea of getting the star talent and then figuring everything out later.
That shouldn't change because some of their young players have shown some signs of promise. It hasn't stopped the team before, and it certainly shouldn't stop them now.
If the Heat is serious about landing a star player, this could be the perfect opportunity for them to do so. And, for the first time in a long time, their limited assets won't be a huge stumbling block for them.
This is historically when the Heat (and Riley) have shone. The question is, are they still that franchise? I'd have to imagine we're going to find out the answer to that question soon enough.