The Miami Heat want to win championships. They have been to the NBA Finals twice in the last five years, but expect a shakeup after a first-round playoff exit. President Pat Riley called out his players to be more available in his end of season presser, and it has led to Jimmy Butler trade rumors.
No franchise is better at finding undervalued talent, but Miami needs more than that. The Heat cannot rely on Jimmy Buckets to be superhuman in the playoffs at 35. They must add more skill and ability, but it won’t be easy with the NBA’s new spending restrictions coming in.
Riley knows changes are necessary this summer. They have two draft picks but are flirting with the second tax apron. Miami must make trades to alter their roster, and these players could be wearing different uniforms to start the 2024-25 season.
7. Duncan Robinson
Robinson has been in trade rumors for years, but the sharpshooter had a bounce-back season. He averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game where he shot 45.0 percent from the field and 39.5 percent on his threes. Robinson finished tenth in Most Improved Player voting and had the Heat calling him “untouchable” before the trade deadline.
Things likely swung back in the playoffs. The 30-year-old dealt with a back injury late in the season and averaged just 2.6 points and 1.2 assists in 12.0 minutes per game during their first-round playoff loss to the Celtics. Robinson couldn’t buy a bucket and has struggled in three of the last four postseasons. The year he shot 44.2 percent on his threes in the playoffs, Miami went to the NBA Finals.
Duncan Robinson still has two years and $39.3 million remaining on his contract. Do not be surprised to hear his name back in the rumors, but finding a trade will be difficult. Robinson is not the only one with a problematic contract for trading.