Fresh off a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heat president Pat Riley could target Kawhi Leonard to form a new "Big Three" and cement Miami’s status as title favorites.
Before the start of the new official league year, the Miami Heat already completed what they set out to do this offseason by acquiring Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in a blockbuster deal late Monday night. The team gutted a lot of the roster, parting with Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis along with a plethora of draft picks in the deal. Now, despite adding one of the best players in the league, Miami needs to continue to add to this new-look roster.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard was rumored in trade talks for the latter half of the season. The Clippers parted with both James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline, leading many to believe Leonard could be next. The team held onto him for the remainder of the season but now, the rumors are starting to pick up again as we approach the offseason. He had one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a career-high 27.6 points along with shooting over 50 percent from the field.
Even though the Heat added Antetokounmpo, there is a scenario where the team could add a player of Leonard's caliber. The team's lone All-Star last season, Norman Powell, will be hitting unrestricted free agency and with the team's new financial constraints, it will be difficult to retain him. Leonard was viewed as the backup plan for Miami if the team was unable to land Antetokounmpo, but is there a world where the Heat could have both players on the roster come October?
The short, brief answer is yes. It is possible for the Heat to take on Leonard's contract. However, with the recent purging of the roster, would the Clippers be interested in guys like Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic or Davion Mitchell as the main pieces of a potential deal? Probably not. Add in a couple of picks and there could be something there. Theoretically, it would work out financially but it comes down to how much Los Angeles values the seven-time All-Star.
So, in conclusion, a deal for Leonard is absolutely possible but given the new lack of depth on Miami's roster, it may be best for the team to hold on to the players they currently have outside of Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. Pat Riley had a "Big Three" once before as the Heat's president and who knows if he will jump at the opportunity to create another one.
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