The Miami Heat can be one of the more stacked teams in the NBA this season by having the perfect blend of youth and experience with a move that adds two seasoned vets to their artillery.
To set the context, the Heat was reported to have emerged as one of the suitors for former NBA champion, Kevin Love. Reports of the Cleveland Cavaliers close to a deal to buy out Love and make him a free agent.
Love is in the final year of his contract which pays him $28.9 million. Love is expected to sign with another franchise before the end of this season, and Miami is a frontrunner to land the 15-year-veteran.
Also linked to the Heat is Utah Jazz guard Russell Westbrook. The former Los Angeles Laker is one of the players expected to be bought out by the team, and the Heat have been named as interested parties along with the Chicago Bulls and the LA Clippers.
It should be worth noting that the two players may not have had the greatest of runs over the last couple of seasons, but they do have ample experience and the necessary skill set to bolster the Heat’s chances of making a playoff and beyond push, while also taking the load of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Love is averaging 8.5 points, and 6.8 rebounds this season, and has been known for his immaculate passing and terrific rebounding. In his six seasons with the Cavaliers, he averaged 19.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists
Westbrook looked his vintage self when he came off the bench as the Lakers’ sixth man and has been averaging 15.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 7.5 assists. He was traded to the Jazz in a three-team trade ahead of the deadline.
The Miami Heat Can Be A Well-Rounded And Balanced Unit With Russell Westbrook And Kevin Love
At the time of writing, the Heat come off a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, but it doesn’t necessarily jeopardize their standings in the East. They are placed seventh with a 32-27 record but will look to stack up a few more wins to climb up a few rungs as the regular season inches to its final stretch.
With Love, the team will have depth in their favor, while Westbrook, despite his shooting flaws, will be a boost over the struggling Kyle Lowry whose enduring one of his worst seasons. He is averaging 12.0 points, 4.3 boards, and 5.3 assists this season, and his knee injury issue comes as a bane for the Heat. In that case, Westbrook’s athleticism, playmaking acumen, and energy will be an ideal fit for the side.
The starting lineup could feature Westbrook as the starter alongside Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Love, and Bam Adebayo. This could be followed by bench options with Lowry, Max Strus, Victor Oladipo, Caleb Martin, and Gabe Vincent who are more than just a decent second unit.
The Heat might not get a blockbuster duo, but at this stage, what they do need is energy and experience — both of which these former superstars provide, and maybe a bit more given they still have enough basketball left in them
While a Heat-Love partnership looks likely, only time will tell if Miami becomes Westbrook’s next landing spot. Safe to say, both acquisitions will make them a stacked outfit.
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