If the Miami Heat can’t land a superstar this summer, they should create the flexibility they need to make that trade in the future.It’s been a rough first 36 hours of free agency for the Miami Heat, who have seen rivals in Philadelphia, New York and Orlando get better while they have failed to make a meaningful move. It appears we’re headed for a gap year in Miami, where the front office can run back the same core for another season and see if they can capture lightning in a bottle in the postseason again, before making a decision on Jimmy Butler’s future next June
But if the Heat can’t make a huge addition that puts them on the same level as the East’s elite teams, they should spend the summer doing something productive.
The Heat are normally opposed to taking a step back, even if it is calculated, but given a lack of financial and asset flexibility, there is a good case to be made that now is the moment.
If a great player does not emerge as a viable possibility for the Heat in the coming days, perhaps they can look into moves that will free up cap space and refill their draft capital, putting them in a better position to retool around Bam Adebayo over the next half-decade.
I came up with three trade concepts that could assist them do this.
The Heat trade Tyler Herro to gain immediate cap freedom. I came up with three trade concepts that could assist them do this.
The Heat trade Tyler Herro to gain immediate cap freedom. While it would be difficult to leave with Herro, a 24-year-old 20-point shooter, the Heat would at least get Jaden Ivey and a potential first-round selection in return.
Ivey, the Pistons’ fifth-round pick in 2022, has yet to make an impact, but his potential is intriguing. Seeing how the 22-year-old Ivey reacts to being in Miami rather than a shaky Pistons situation would be worth the price.The move would save the Heat more than $21 million in cap space this year and release the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which the team could use to add to its squad.
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