The Miami Heat are a team that went to the Finals during the 2019-20 season, with Jimmy Butler as the star that led them there. It is clear that they have good pieces on the roster, but it seems as though they are a step away from true contention. This year’s playoffs showed that, as they were unceremoniously swept by the Milwaukee Bucks, who are now in the NBA Finals.
A lot of teams generally add star power to be competitive. Star generally This article will focus on the Miami Heat creating a superteam for next season. The three players that the Miami Heat would target in this scenario are Kevin Love, Kyle Lowry, and Brandon Ingram. If the Miami Heat managed to acquire all of these players, then they would become contenders, as they would already have two All-Star caliber players on the roster in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Here is how the Miami Heat could potentially create this superteam.
Acquire Kevin Love After Contract Buyout
There have been suggestions that Kevin Love could potentially get bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been linked to teams in win-now mode such as the Golden State Warriors if that scenario were to occur. The Miami Heat would be a good fit for Kevin Love, and perhaps he could elect to join them.
Kevin Love is able to space the floor very well as a big man, which would be good for both Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, as the two are non-shooters who thrive at the rim. Butler and Adebayo would also be able to cover for some of Kevin Love’s defensive issues on the perimeter. On the Miami Heat, Kevin Love could take a smaller role on the offensive end with other offensive threats, and focus on finishing easy baskets at the rim and shooting open threes.
Sign Kyle Lowry In Free Agency
The Miami Heat have long been fans of Kyle Lowry, and prior reports have suggested that they believe they can get him in free agency. Kyle Lowry joining the Miami Heat would take some of the playmaking and scoring load off of Jimmy Butler. Kyle Lowry averaged 17.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 7.3 APG this season with the Toronto Raptors, and his shooting and shot creation would be useful for a team that struggled offensively during the playoffs.
Kyle Lowry would likely demand around a $20 million a year deal in free agency. To make a sign and trade possible, the Miami Heat could potentially send out Goran Dragic after accepting his team option. This would allow the Toronto Raptors to add a veteran onto their roster, and not lose Kyle Lowry for nothing in free agency. On Lowry’s end, he’d get to go to a contender and play with a good friend in Jimmy Butler.
Trade For Brandon Ingram
Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Precious Achiuwa, KZ Okpala
For the Miami Heat, this is a trade that combines winning now and also planning for the future. Brandon Ingram is a 23-year-old player that has already made the All-Star game in his career. It is possible that he could improve further. By acquiring Ingram, they acquire a three-level scorer who can help them win now but is also young enough to be a piece in future contention.
To make this trade work, Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn would have to agree to a sign and trade to the New Orleans Pelicans. It is possible that they would do that, as they would likely have bigger roles there, and be able to play with a superstar in Zion Williamson. They are also both capable shooters, which means they’ll fit well next to Williamson.
Precious Achiuwa and KZ Okpala would both be solid prospects on the defensive end. Tyler Herro was a core part of getting the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals during the 2019-20 season, but he’d likely have to be part of the package if the Heat wanted to acquire Ingram. Herro would be able to develop in New Orleans and be a perimeter threat next to Zion Williamson. Overall, this is a solid package for a star of Ingram’s caliber.
Of course, there’s the question of whether the New Orleans Pelicans would accept the offer. Perhaps they could, as it would allow Zion Williamson to be the sole focus of the offense while surrounding him with capable shooters who can create for themselves. Zion Williamson would be playing in a point guard or point forward role. Williamson can fit many positions, but regardless of where he plays, his potential as a do-it-all player is there. Surrounding Zion Williamson with spacing and creation could be a recipe for success.
Conclusion
If the Miami Heat were to create this superteam, they would solve a lot of the problems they faced. They’d have capable scorers, and more playmaking and star power. The defensive potential of this team would be great as well.
Overall, this superteam would have a fair shot of making it to the Finals and potentially winning the championship. Jimmy Butler’s prime won’t last forever, and perhaps the Miami Heat will decide to go all-in and take advantage.
