If Zach LaVine emerges as a realistic option for the Miami Heat, it could end up changing everything about the expectations for the team heading into its first year with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Interestingly enough, that's looking like a more likely possibility by the day. Most recently, it was Sacramento Kings insider James Ham who stoked the flames about a potential LaVine buyout from the Kings.
This speculation was based on the whispers that LaVine has not been promised a role by the Kings heading into this upcoming season.
“They've been honest with [Zach LaVine] & said; Look, all bets are off if you opt in...We as a franchise have to make a business decision w/ regards to you—& if he's going to get bought out it should happen now. Because after this it's not advantageous to anybody.”
Zach LaVine could make sense as a buyout option for the Heat
The Kings are headed down a rebuilding direction, and LaVine may not fit what they're trying to establish anymore. With just one year left on his contract, LaVine may be better off, especially if he's interested in another big contract after this season, to find a path toward a "prove it" opportunity on another team.
The Heat would make almost perfect sense. Considering Miami has a huge need at the shooting guard position, there's a world where LaVine could reach a buyout agreement with the Kings and sign for a chunk, if not all, of the Heat's remaining mid-level exception. That could be up to a one-year, $8 million deal.
That's one way that LaVine could make up lost money in a potential buyout agreement with the Kings.
But even money aside, LaVine would be a great fit in Miami next to Giannis and Bam Adebayo from a basketball perspective. Not only would a LaVine addition help beef up the Heat's starting 5, but it would also help improve their depth, shooting, and playmaking.
Zach LaVine could flip the narrative for the Heat
I'm not sure if a LaVine addition alone would cement the Heat as championship contenders, but there's no question that he would help quell many of their current questions around their dynamic duo.
LaVine is a very good 3-point shooter. Over the course of his career, he shoots the three-ball at a 39 percent clip. LaVine is also a better playmaker than he gets credit for, averaging four assists per game over the course of his career.
He also has some of that volume scoring ability that the Heat will need when Giannis and Bam are off the floor, averaging at least 19 points per game in each of his last eight seasons. The fact that he's managed to do that while playing very different roles should give the Heat confidence that LaVine would be able to seamlessly fit on this team.
Add in the incentive of playing truly meaningful basketball for arguably the first time in his career, and there's a very intriguing opportunity for both LaVine and the Heat here.
Again, there's a big gap between one talking head speculating about what the Kings and LaVine should do vs. those conversations actually happening.
But if there is even a small chance of that happening, and it appears as if there may be, the Heat should be all over this. Because if there's one unexpected move that could help push the Heat's Giannis build along quicker than expected, it could very well involve LaVine.
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