In what has been an injury-plagued start to the season, the Miami Heat could find themselves at a place where they have no option but to embrace being a seller at the NBA Trade Deadline.
The term "seller" and Heat are not synonymous. In fact, I can't remember the last time this front office actually embraced the label of "seller" at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, as the Heat's injuries continue to pile up, it may be the only logical path forward.
Of course, much of that could ultimately be dictated by whether a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available at the deadline. But, if he isn't available, pivoting toward a seller could be exactly the best path forward for the Heat.
The Heat's injuries have completely derailed the season
The injuries have certainly altered the perception of this Heat's ceiling. Would they be in a much better spot right now had they been healthy all season long? It's hard to tell either way, but you'd imagine that to be the case.
But because of the injuries, the Heat are in the same position they've been for the past few years - a Play-In Tournament team.
With hopes that this season could be different, that simply hasn't been the case. And that's troubling for a team that has some big long-term decisions to make regarding a few of their current players.
Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins could test free agency next summer, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, and Tyler Herro could do the same during the summer of 2027.
In theory, they have to start making some of those tough decisions, and if the Heat already know that they won't be able to pay everyone, it'd probably be smart to try and sell off some of those players. Knowing the way the Heat operates, that all begins with having to choose two of their trio of Powell, Wiggins, and Herro.
I'd be shocked if all three of those players were still on this roster at the start of next season. If they were, that probably means even more mediocre basketball for the foreseeable future of this franchise.
That's not necessarily a knock on any of those players, but it's clear that this current core is not good enough. Injuries aside, this isn't a roster that will be able to compete in the Eastern Conference. The injuries, if anything, have given the Heat and fast-track to that reality.
Now that the Heat know they're not contenders with this roster, it may be time to sell off at least one of their core players in an attempt to prepare for an all-out pursuit for a superstar (ideally, Giannis). Emerging as a seller at this year's NBA Trade Deadline could put them in a better position to capitalize on Giannis later.
And the early-season injuries should be pushing the Heat closer to that reality.