For the Miami Heat, they might only need one more piece to take the next step in the East.
With the trade season in full swing and the deadline fastly approaching, it’s no surprise that Miami has been in the conversation for nearly every available player on the block.
Perhaps the strongest ties they’ve had have been in connection to Jrue Holiday — a border-line two-way All-Star that may be on the verge of an exit from the Pelicans. According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, they could offer a package including four players and a pick for the veteran guard.
“Miami could raise its ceiling several stories by dealing for Jrue Holiday. He’d be an almost ideal co-star for Butler. Each can run the offense, but they don’t have to dominate the ball. Each is an absurdly effective defender, and with [Bam] Adebayo in the mix, the Heat could spring from outside the top 10 and maybe into the top five of defensive efficiency. If there’s a hangup with Holiday, it’s his $27.1 million player option for 2021-22 and what it might mean for Miami’s grandiose plans for 2021 free agency. But maybe the Heat should be more focused on the now considering Butler is 30 years old and has some high-mileage seasons behind him.”
With Bam, Nunn, and Butler, Holiday would fit the mold in the culture they are trying to establish there. As a Top 3 seed in the East, his arrival might just be enough to earn them a trip to the Finals. No matter what happens, though, it will be interesting to witness how this Heta roster grows, changes, and develops in the weeks, months, and maybe even years to come.
Where Holiday fits into it all is still a big question but they can certainly do a lot worse. He’s averaging 19.6 points and 6.5 assists this season.
