The Miami Heat are proving why they end up being contenders in the Eastern Conference every season, even when overlooked. After a dismal start to the season, the Heat have gone 22-12 over their last 44 games to bring their record back to the upper echelon of the East.
The Heat will be a tough playoff matchup for every team, but do they have enough to put themselves over the top? If the previous few seasons are any indicators, they don’t. The Heat have come close to the promised land but failed, and their roster hasn’t seen any major overhauls in that time. Their biggest move since acquiring Jimmy Butler and drafting Tyler Herro in 2019 was the 2021 acquisition of Kyle Lowry.
Lowry has underwhelmed with the Heat, with his lack of offensive polish really hurting the team and putting a heavy scoring burden on Tyler Herro. So, what could the Heat get before the trade deadline if they were to think about moving the former champion?
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Kyle Lowry
Miami Heat Receive: D’Angelo Russell
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat could do a straight swap of point guards to address the needs of both teams. D’Angelo and Herro would be an effective scoring backcourt whose defensive flaws can be mitigated by the excellence of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, alongside the very sound team defensive system the Heat employ. Russell’s possible free agency also gives the Heat the room to move off the partnership if the half-season they get from D’Lo is disappointing.
Russell averages 17.8 points with 6.2 assists per game and would be a great fit in Miami. While Lowry’s averages don’t look that eye-popping, he would be the perfect fundamental point guard for the Wolves. His defensive ability and heart will bring some stability to the perimeter while letting Anthony Edwards take another leap in production. His playmaking and experience will further bolster the Wolves’ hope of returning to the playoffs and making it past the first round.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Kyle Lowry
Miami Heat Receive: Marcus Morris, John Wall, 2023 Second-Round Pick (LAC)
The Los Angeles Clippers desperately need good point guard play to make something of their 4th year in the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George era. John Wall hasn’t been the signing the Clippers’ hoped he would be. He is solid but not nearly a difference-maker on this squad. Lowry, on the other hand, may come with some offensive issues but he would remedy their half-court offense issues in a heartbeat.
"Kyle Lowry is not seeing eye-to-eye with the Miami Heat over there. Him and Ty Lue are good friends. [The Clippers] could be a perfect fit for him."
— Kendrick Perkins#ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/WfZQ8tmNIo
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧' 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) February 2, 2023
“They got the money at the point guard position given what John Wall and Reggie Jackson are making. Kyle Lowry is not seeing eye-to-eye with the Miami Heat over there. Him and Ty Lue are good friends. [The Clippers] could be a perfect fit for him. He don’t have to come in and do much, just run the offense.”
Lowry excels at controlling the pace of the game and getting his teammates in a good position to succeed. While he isn’t elite on the level of the best playmakers in the league, Lowry is more capable than Wall in a half-court offense. Kawhi Leonard is already familiar with how good Lowry can be as the lead guard on a team and they could hope to rekindle their chemistry from the 2019 Raptors to bring success to the Clippers.
The Heat would really appreciate the package they’re getting back. John Wall may be a downgrade at the point guard position but might just be a good fit because Jimmy Butler handles most of the half-court creation for the Heat anyway. Wall’s offensive punch would be an asset they can use, The prize for them would be Marcus Morris Sr., as they finally get to plug their hole at power forward with a dependable 3-and-D player that fits seamlessly into their system and identity.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson
Miami Heat Receive: Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Russell Westbrook’s fit continues to be as awkward as ever on the Lakers, as the sixth man is making superstar money. While the contract is only on the books for half a season, the Lakers can’t use the money they free up at the end of the season to make a big signing anyway. The Rui Hachimura trade and his impending free agency mean the Lakers have a $12 million cap hold unless they renounce the rights, which the Lakers have already said they won’t do by wanting to sign him to an extension.
Westbrook has the hardened mentality that the Heat organization expects from its players. While he wouldn’t necessarily be an upgrade over Lowry at this point, he definitely will provide a lot more energy on the court than Lowry did. He is a capable half-court orchestrator and this trade will allow the Heat to get a much-needed future first-round pick. The protections on this pick can vary but the Heat would still appreciate having it given how their trade assets are threadbare.
Lowry wouldn’t be a massive upgrade over Westbrook on paper but opens the team up for far more success as a solid fit. Lowry can add defense to the Lakers and is known to make relatively high-IQ decisions. While this may impede the Lakers’ ability to play their transition offense, it will make them a far more stable team at a slower pace, which is what the game operates at in the playoffs. Duncan Robinson’s addition brings a bad contract but a player that will most definitely thrive in the Lakers’ offense. They need a sniper like Robinson to keep a player away from LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
This trade addresses small needs for the Lakers but doesn’t make them a championship team. However, it is undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the franchise.
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