It's been a pretty rough first four games of the season for the Miami Heat. So much so that experts are already crafting up ways to "save" the Heat after their 0-4 start to the year.
One specific trade idea from Sam Vecenie has the Heat exploring a potential deal for Michael Porter Jr., who is expected to be shopped ahead of this year's NBA Trade Deadline. Vecenie notes that such a move could be difficult for the Heat to pull off because of their lack of trade assets, but he also says that he'd be a near-perfect fit for the team.
In theory, MPJ would seem like a great hypothetical addition to the Heat. Miami is struggling to get much offensive production from the perimeter and is one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league.
Michael Porter Jr. would help alleviate much of the Heat's offensive issues
MPJ would help on both of those fronts. Through the first few games of this season, MPJ is averaging 23 points and seven rebounds per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent shooting from the 3-point range.
He may not help the Heat much in the way of playmaking, but he's the type of player who can get his own shot when he needs it. Considering how much the Heat have struggled in the half-court on offense this season, it would feel like a godsend to be able to add a player like MPJ at the trade deadline.
Of course, that's under the assumption that the Heat's biggest problem is shot-making rather than just playmaking. Right now, that may be the case, especially with the way that Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. are playing.
But just because the trade may make sense in theory, that doesn't mean it'll be easy for the Heat to pull off. Even less so if there's a strong trade market for MPJ, which there may be.
The Heat may not have the assets to make a big trade at the deadline
Just to make the money work, the Heat would have to package Nikola Jovic and Andrew Wiggins together. If that's the package the Nets would even consider, Miami would likely have to include a big sweetener. Without much draft capital, that could prove to be difficult.
Because of the trade for Giannis, the Heat's path to such a big move at the trade deadline is that much less likely. Of course, that doesn't mean it can't happen, or that this front office can't find a path forward, especially if they're able to include three or four teams.
It's certainly an interesting possibility to think about. A lineup of Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Michael Porter Jr., Giannis, and Bam would look a lot better than what they're running out now. But as much as Vecenie is right about the Heat targeting MPJ, it's hard to envision it happening.
At the very least, though, it's certainly one thing to keep a close eye on. Especially if the Heat's struggles continue heading into the deadline.
Add us as a preferred source on Google