The Miami Heat are in a troubling spot in the 2024 offseason, failing to make any major additions to a roster that’s been a play-in team for consecutive seasons. With Jimmy Butler‘s future under scrutiny with the franchise, it seems that major moves are required to bring the Heat back into the fray atop the Eastern Conference.
The Heat need to make a big move to be considered realistic challengers in the East especially after the improvements made by the Knicks and 76ers, along with the excellence the Celtics showed in their title win. As a result, the Heat could be at the center of a massive four-team trade which lands them three players to push for contention.
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Brandon Ingram, DeMar DeRozan, Russell Westbrook
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Josh Richardson, Orlando Robinson, 2032 Second-Round Pick (MIA)
Chicago Bulls Receive: Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
This deal helps the Heat create a stacked lineup heading into next season while giving all teams involved in the deal assets that they could use to further commit to their team’s agenda for the season.
The Miami Heat Storm Back Into Contention
This could be a very expensive and complicated deal, but the Heat need to do this deal to give themselves a chance as the East becomes more top-heavy this offseason. The Knicks and 76ers have elevated their cores considerably with offseason moves while the Celtics remain ahead of the pack. The Heat as presently constructed are arguably worse than the Bucks, Pacers, or Cavaliers at the moment.
Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season and would be a phenomenal scoring addition for the Heat. They’ve been one of the worst offenses in the NBA over the last few seasons, something Ingram can change. DeMar DeRozan also adds offensive firepower, averaging 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season.
They’re both fluid on-ball passers and can play within Erik Spoelstra’s system. Their addition likely moves Jimmy Butler to the backcourt, as he and Russell Westbrook run the system with Bam Adebayo anchoring as the center. Terry Rozier would be a great addition as the sixth man to this unit, along with Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the bench, so the price in picks and players could be justified.
The Clippers Find A New Home For Russell Westbrook
The Clippers play the smallest part in this deal, swapping out the unhappy Russell Westbrook with Josh Richardson. Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season off the bench for the Clippers, requesting a new situation for this season given his reduced role behind James Harden.
Josh Richardson averaged 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season, providing a serviceable two-way combo guard who can stretch the floor for the Clippers. Orlando Robinson won’t be a major addition but the 6’10” forward could be a valuable piece for the Clippers’ frontcourt.
Westbrook is no longer happy with the Clippers, so getting a return like this for him is good work. Richardson might not have the same production as Westbrook, but he’s an easier piece to work into the team’s rotation. A second-round pick for their troubles seems to be justified as well, helping them replenish their asset-bare cupboard of draft picks.
The Chicago Bulls Get A Strong Return For A Sign-And-Trade
The Bulls are essentially giving up a free agent in DeMar DeRozan but get two valuable assets that the Heat would need to give up to make salary cap space. Caleb Martin is a free agent himself and would sign a 2-year, $20 million contract in this mock trade to make up the numbers. He averaged 10.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists last season, playing a crucial role in the team’s run to the 2023 Finals.
Duncan Robinson averaged 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in a great season for the Heat last year. His contract is still considered poor but is more movable with only two years remaining on it. The Bulls could easily trade Robinson later in the season or even next year for a strong return. He shot 39.5% on threes last season, rejoining the conversation of the best shooters in the NBA.
The Bulls have to take these contracts on to make the deal work, but it’s better than losing DeRozan for nothing given the value these players could have to winning teams around the NBA.
The Pelicans Continue Their Offseason Re-Tooling
The Pelicans have already made their major offseason move by acquiring Dejounte Murray to join their backcourt, creating an issue in the lineup with too many self-creating scorers. Brandon Ingram is entering the season on an expiring contract and the parties haven’t been able to agree on a price so far. This could open Ingram up to be moved, with the Heat having a strong package for them.
Tyler Herro is a young guard who could fit better in a backcourt alongside Dejounte Murray than CJ McCollum. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, with his addition giving the Pelicans stronger guard play as McCollum takes on a sixth-man role. Ingram’s departure would keep Herb Jones in the starting lineup, giving the Pelicans a strong mix of multi-positional players on the court.
McCollum could even be moved to fill the hole at center, which would allow the Pelicans to be better placed for contention in the West next season. Acquiring a Miami Heat pick in 2029 could yield tremendous value as well, along with young forward Nikola Jovic, who averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists last season.
A Deal With Something For Everybody
The Miami Heat are the center of this deal and have the most tangible gain to be had in terms of roster construction, but everyone in this deal walks away with something valuable. The Bulls are getting two players to help them climb up to the salary floor who could be valuable assets down the line for just negotiating a sign-and-trade for a free agent DeRozan.
The Clippers need to get off Russell Westbrook and get a better-fitting replacement in Josh Richardson along with a second-round pick. The Pelicans get valuable young assets in Herro and Jovic, with Herro providing a win-now element to the team for next season. The deal could work for all parties involved, with the Heat getting the firepower they need to contend in the Eastern Conference.
They’ll have to worry about extending Ingram at the end of next season along with Jimmy Butler, who would be more open to an affordable extension if it allows them to keep a winning core together.
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