With the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Marcus Smart after he was waived by the Washington Wizards, it possibly saved the Miami Heat from a trade that would've made little sense. According to recent reports, the Heat held trade talks with the Wizards regarding a Terry Rozier for Smart swap. In the end, the Heat and Wizards moved in different directions.
Considering it likely would've taken another asset to get out from under Rozier's contract in such a deal, the Heat avoided a nightmare trade that would've haunted them in the future.
It's not bad enough that the Heat included a first-round pick to acquire Rozier; it would've been even worse had they decided to part ways with another asset to get him off the roster. As an expiring contract, the Heat shouldn't have to work that difficult to cut him loose.
At this point, they should just take their medicine and allow the contract to expire after this season.
Marcus Smart wouldn't have made sense for the Heat
If the right deal had come together, you would take it. However, Smart is not the right target. Sure, there's a chance that Smart would've helped improve the Heat's depth in the backcourt, but there's a chance he could've stunted the growth of players like Davion Mitchell, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Pelle Larsson.
Short of adding a star, the Heat shouldn't be signing up to acquire players that are going to take valuable minutes away from their young backcourt.
At some point, the Heat has to figure out what they have with their young core. What better opportunity to do that than this upcoming season in what many believe will be a "gap" year for the team?
Even though Smart could still add value to a team at this point in his career, it's hard for me to believe this deal would've been worth the squeeze.
Heat continue to remain vigilant
It's hard to blame the Heat for keeping their options open, but I'm not sure Smart would've been the right target for them. Heading into the dog days of August, I wouldn't be surprised if the Heat continued to explore their possibilities. With an open roster spot, it would be natural for them to do so.
However, I still believe there's a better chance than not that the Heat will want to keep their roster flexibility heading into the start of the season. At this point, it probably makes the most sense.
Smart would've helped this team slightly with some added veteran depth in the backcourt, but a team like the Lakers makes a whole lot more sense at this point in his career.