- The Miami Heat land OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. in this trade scenario
- Both are two-way players capable of contributing within the Heat system
- The Toronto Raptors get a long-term player in Tyler Herro
The Miami Heat are clearly a top-tier team right now, but the 2023 playoffs showed that they are still missing something that prevents them from winning the championship. Their offense frequently stagnated in the playoffs, and part of the reason they lost in the Finals was them not being able to keep up with the Denver Nuggets’ firepower even with their elite defense.
Though the Miami Heat have frequently been linked with stars such as Damian Lillard, perhaps a smaller trade is in order. This deal has them land Toronto Raptors players OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr., who would give them two capable offensive players without compromising their defensive identity.
Miami Heat Receive: OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)
There is no doubt that this trade could take the Miami Heat to the next level as a squad. Here is why both the Heat and the Toronto Raptors should consider making this deal at some point before the 2023-24 season starts.
The Miami Heat Land A Duo Of Two-Way Players
This iteration of the Miami Heat has been defined by two things: defense and 3PT shooting. However, they lost Gabe Vincent and Max Strus in free agency, which means they now need two players that can bring similar things. The Toronto Raptors have some solid role players that fit what the Miami Heat might want.
OG Anunoby is obviously the key player the Miami Heat would land in this deal, and he is a key premier 3 and D player. Last season, Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while shooting 38.7% from the 3PT range.
OG Anunoby is 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, and he has the athleticism to comfortably guard all five positions. He is also a solid complementary offensive player and has shown that he can play well with high-usage players such as Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. He could potentially get a bigger role on offense as well, given the fact that the team doesn’t necessarily have consistent offensive players outside of Jimmy Butler.
The other player that the Miami Heat would land is Gary Trent Jr., who opted into his $18.5 million player option with the Toronto Raptors. Trent Jr. is also a solid 3 and D player, and he would likely start in Tyler Herro’s place after this move. Gary Trent Jr. had a productive year with the Toronto Raptors, putting up 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.
The key thing with Gary Trent Jr. is the potential shot creation upside. Though he was not often asked to score in isolation with the Raptors last season, it is clear that Trent Jr. has some ability to do so. He often hits contested 3PT jumpers, even in high-pressure situations. The upside could absolutely be worth it for the Miami Heat, as the team frequently struggled offensively in the 2023 playoffs.
Though both players could potentially walk in 2024 free agency, the Miami Heat could easily retain them. They are located in a prime market and can offer both players bigger roles than they had on the Toronto Raptors. Those are both appealing factors and as long as the Heat give them long-term contracts, there is no reason for either OG Anunoby or Gary Trent Jr. to leave in this scenario.
The Toronto Raptors Get A Young Player Locked In For The Long Term
Though Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby are both quality role players, the issue for the Toronto Raptors is their respective contract situations. Gary Trent Jr. is on an expiring contract right now, while OG Anunoby could become a free agent in 2024 by declining his $19.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season. If the duo doesn’t want to sign extensions with the franchise, then the right move is to try and move them for potential value. This deal from the Miami Heat would provide that.
Tyler Herro is the main reason for the Toronto Raptors to do this deal. The young shooting guard is locked into a four-year $120.0 million deal right now and could be a long-term piece next to promising forward Scottie Barnes. Herro is definitely a solid scorer, with him averaging 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game for the Heat last season.
The other assets in this deal would be Caleb Martin and a 2030 first-round pick for the Miami Heat. Caleb Martin had a good showing in the 2023 playoffs, averaging 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 42.3% from 3PT range. Martin would be a good role player for the Raptors and could space the floor well for Scottie Barnes. The pick is likely to be valuable, as it is conveyed in 2030, which is likely outside of the Heat’s contention window.
Overall, this trade would be able to ensure the Toronto Raptors would get a solid return for two players that could leave at the end of the season. Tyler Herro could end up being a foundational piece for the franchise, and it would be interesting to see how he would do in an expanded role with the Toronto Raptors.
This Could Be A Win-Win Deal For The Heat And Raptors
There is no doubt that this deal would make the Miami Heat a much better team. Inserting Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby into the starting lineup would ensure the team has adequate spacing for Jimmy Butler, and the team would remain one of the best defensive squads in the league with this move.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors would end up getting Tyler Herro who is still young enough to help the franchise both now and in the long term. The Toronto Raptors are a team that is likely to win through development, and having Tyler Herro and Scottie Barnes on the roster is a start.
It remains to be seen if the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors would end up coming together on this deal, but it could be a true win-win move for both franchises that helps both with their goals.
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