After making a move that could end up securing their long-term future in the backcourt, one of the bigger priorities for the Miami Heat heading into night two of the NBA Draft, and the rest of the offseason, could revolve around solidifying their frontcourt. More specifically, the Heat needs to find a reliable backup center behind Kel'el Ware. The Phoenix Suns, of all teams, could offer the perfect trade target for the Heat: Nick Richards.
At the moment, the Heat don't have a traditional backup center on the roster. That likely, and almost certainly, will change at some point before the start of next season. However, finding the right fit behind Ware could prove to be taxing, especially if Miami has an eye on keeping its financial flexibility heading into next summer.
Nick Richards is the perfect trade target for the Heat
That's why Richardson could be the perfect fit for the Heat. He's proven to be a productive and effective backup center through the first few years in the league, and he's entering the final year of his contract. If the Heat are seriously looking to upgrade their depth at the center position, Richards would be an excellent target.
In 36 games played with the Suns last season, Richards averaged 10 points and nine rebounds per game on 60 percent shooting from the field. But as productive as Richards was this past season for the Suns, Phoenix acquired two centers (Mark Williams and Khaman Maluach) that will almost certainly be ahead of him in the depth chart to begin the year.
If the Suns move forward with their plan of parting ways with Bradley Beal, this is a team that could need help on the wing. A deal centered around Kyle Anderson and Haywood Highsmith for Cody Martin and Richardson could make some sense.
The Heat has recently been linked to Martin, and it's unlikely that Anderson or Highsmith is going to be considered a big part of Miami's future. Both of those players could emerge as contributors for a retooled Phoenix team that will be looking to compete in a very deep Western Conference next season.
For the Heat, they'd lose some depth on the wing, but, at this point, they may be willing to make that trade-off if it comes with a legitimate backup center.
The Heat may not have been able to draw up the right offer in their trade talks with the Suns for Kevin Durant, but perhaps they'll have better luck in trying to acquire the perfect backup center in Richards.