The Miami Heat have started to come back down to Earth after a hot start to the season and with numerous injuries along with a decline in offensive efficiency, Miami may need to make a trade by the deadline to salvage this season. Miami entered the campaign as a middling Eastern Conference team. They were not expected to be among the worst teams in the conference but certainly not among the best either. A Play-In tournament spot seemed way more up this team's alley.
Bleacher Report released an article, predicting what every NBA team would do if the trade deadline were today. For the Heat, the article's advice is to "shake it up".
"The innovative offense that produced a 14-7 start isn't humming quite like it used to, and the Miami Heat are once again a decidedly average team," the article wrote. "That would be fine if the roster had upside, loads of young prospects or key players signed to reasonable deals. But Andrew Wiggins (player option) and Norman Powell can both hit free agency this summer, while Tyler Herro, who's played just six games so far this season, is due an extension."
Rather than list a trade target for Miami, Bleacher Report decided that cutting ties with some pieces of the team may be better than outright gaining another player for a playoff push. There are multiple players who sit with contracts that expire either this summer or next.
"If the Heat assess themselves honestly, they'll see this group isn't cheap enough, good enough or young enough to get them where they want to go," the article added. "Wiggins and Powell should both have value to contenders. The former isn't far removed from elite three-and-D play for a championship team, while the latter could juice anyone's offense. Miami hasn't historically been a tear-it-down team in situations like this, but a full demolition isn't necessary. The Heat just need to get value for assets they might otherwise lose, and then hope the flexibility allows for more help around their remaining core."
Unless the Heat can put together a nice string of wins and show stronger efficiency, this season may be another Play-In tournament appearance.
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