The Miami Heat are going to be at the top of the NBA when it comes to offseason activity, not just because Miami is a popular free-agent destination or because the Heat are one of the league's most stand-up organizations, but because they absolutely have to be.
The Heat needs change, and change is what's inevitably coming, so Heat fans should expect the roster to look different next year with some past faces gone and new ones arriving. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most popular player many expect the Heat to go after, but he's not the only superstar Miami could consider.
If the Heat want to make a huge splash, Antetokounmpo would be it, but so could Kawhi Leonard (provided the LA Clippers make him available). However, a surprise name was recently thrown into the wind by two NBA icons, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, and while the player in question sounds like a nice idea, it might be the worst move Miami could make.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett suggest the Heat target Joel Embiid in the offseason
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently in a first-round battle with the Boston Celtics, but Joel Embiid remains out of the 76ers' lineup, recovering from an emergency appendectomy that might force him to miss these playoffs entirely if the 76ers can't keep up with the Celtics.Â
Embiid's story is nothing new; again missing the majority of the regular season, playing in just 38 games. Embiid has played a total of 96 games over the past three seasons, as injuries have wrecked his ability to play basketball consistently, especially when the playoffs come around.
Yet it's Embiid that both Pierce and Garnett think the Heat should chase this summer, largely because of Miami's culture and what being under Pat Riley's guidance might do for Embiid. The two Hall of Famers argued in favor of this in a recent episode of their podcast KG Certified.
"It's time to get on the phone, if you can get Embiid," Pierce said on the podcast. "You've got to go for it. Give up [Kel'el] Ware."Â
Garnett agreed, but dismissed the idea of giving up Ware, before weighing in with his take.
"He needs some Pat Riley," Garnett said. "That might help him, dawg. That Miami s**t be reviving mo*********ers…They just know how to keep you professional and steady bro. They might not win but Miami got a great organization when it comes to being professional...They don’t play around."
If Miami were to pursue Embiid, it would take care of just one thing, and it's the least important element: they would land a superstar. Despite his injuries, despite the lack of games he plays, and his health and availability being all over the map, Embiid remains a superstar.Â
That said, there is no guarantee that a jersey switch will miraculously transform Embiid's body into one that ceases from breaking down, making availability significantly more important than his superstardom. Every year it's something else, and a move to South Beach doesn't mean everything changes. Unfortunately, Embiid will likely deal with injuries until his last day in the NBA.
Still, Miami has a history of attempting big swings, and Embiid would constitute one. Perhaps, they believe under their roof and with their medical team and trainers, his starts could change. He would be a massive offseason haul, but he would be an even more massive piece for them if he were to stay healthy and on the floor.
The question is: how much would the Heat want to chance it? Embiid in Miami sounds like a nice idea, but his injury history runs too deep, and a move with this much risk has a greater potential to sink the Heat than raise it.Â
The Heat would be wise to not look in Embiid's direction and look elsewhere. If Antetokounmpo is their guy, they would be better off in the long run with him than Embiid. Credit Pierce and Garnett for being creative, though. A healthy Embiid dominating in the paint in a deep Heat playoff run would be something amazing to see.
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