(Photo via Getty Images)
After the Miami Heat infamously struck out on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes, plenty of Heat Nation are wondering what’s the next move. Although their direction is still unclear on whether to embrace a youth movement or stay competitive, the history of the organization suggests the latter.
Ever since Pat Riley took over the Heat franchise, this has been an organization that has refused to embrace a rebuild for decades. It’s not the way they operate— regardless of whether it makes sense or not.
But there’s still plenty of question marks in a path to remain competitive this offseason. Durant’s superstar presence gave them likely their only true short cut back to relevancy in a weak Eastern Conference. Now that he’s off the table, Riley and company will have to get more creative if they want to avoid their fourth consecutive season in the NBA play-in.
As the core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Kel’el Ware are likely to remain the building blocks, that leaves another promising asset to utilize in trade talks— Andrew Wiggins.
Acquired by the Heat in the Jimmy Butler deal at this year’s trade deadline, the 30 year-old Wiggins put up encouraging numbers. In 17 appearances for Miami, he averaged 19 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks on 46% shooting. However, he struggled heavily in the team’s first round sweep by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The problems with Wiggins’ fit go deeper than his on-court production. He dealt with availability issues and his commitment to embracing the “Heat Culture” has looked rocky in hindsight. And according to an NBA insider, his Heat tenure could be short lived.
“Teams are wondering what is next with the Miami Heat after striking out on a Durant trade.”
“Miami continues to make Andrew Wiggins available in trade talks and would be willing to part with the 20th pick in the NBA Draft for an upgrade alongside Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, sources said.”
— Brett Siegel/ClutchPoints
Can the Sacramento Kings be a viable trade partner with the Miami Heat?
It’s unknown what rival teams around the league would currently be interested in Wiggins. However, there have been rumblings linking the Heat and Sacramento Kings as possible trade partners in the very near future.
Both squads were part of the middling group of play-in caliber teams in each respective conference last season. So a potential fit in trade talks between each franchise could make sense in to revamp their roster’s.
The rumor mill has featured DeMar DeRozan landing in South Beach for weeks now. Additionally, the Kings have been mentioned to be shopping Malik Monk and looking to acquire a first-round pick from this upcoming draft.
This approved mock trade via Spotrac provides both the Heat and Kings with a beneficial deal to begin the offseason.
Wiggins could be an intriguing headliner in any potential trade.
In the prime of his career, he still provides upside as a versatile two-way wing. Terry Rozier’s expiring salary along with a young player like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and the 20th pick gives that balance of a well rounded trade package.
In return, the Heat get a proven and still efficient bucket getter in DeRozan to add a much needed scoring punch to their lineup. Miami has circled back on the six-time All-Star several times over the years. And Malik Monk is another talented two-way piece that bolsters the Heat’s guard depth and has ties to Adebayo from their days at Kentucky.
Lastly, last year’s 13th overall pick Devin Carter can help make up for the loss of Jaquez and this year’s 20th pick.
Do you think this deal is beneficial for Miami? Are you ready to move on from Wiggins already? Let us know in the comments!
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Breaking: Heat trade Pat Riley to Minnesota for Ant+Naz Reid
😜😆😂😝
Happiest day of someone’s life 😆
Porzingis to Atlanta for a bag of chips.
Chips must be very good
Nacho good trade flavor
The Miami Heat have worked out France PG Nolan Traore, per Greg Sylvander.
i think the pick will be traded, but I like the upside of Traore.
I hope they make the pick and not trade it away for a meh guy
BREAKING: The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat have held internal discussions about a potential trade involving Bam Adebayo and Jaylen Brown, per sources.
Lol, I wonder who the source is? Ace Ventura? I will choose not to believe that one.
Heat guarantee Keshad’s contract and extend qualifying offer to Davion. Also extended 2-way offer to Dru, but not Stevens. Christopher is not eligible for another 2-way, so is now an unrestricted free agent.
Miami Miami Miami just gotta love it, every team does something and this team is gonna stand pat (pun). Not only that now we’re pushing for a gap year cause this incompetent FO didn’t think to gap year this year when quitter decided to act out? I also looked at the 26’ FA class and love to know besides doncic what great FA yall seeing on there? And spoiler for those who haven’t seen this movie yet Mia doesn’t end up with the pretty girl….same movie I’ve seen in the last decade. We can gap year it run it back again 7x and hope and pray Mia is gonna get the pretty girl but it isn’t gonna happen. Lmfao have fun keeping hope alive…….guaranteed that half the good/decent 26’ FAs sign with their current team or sign somewhere else besides Mia.
I agree. It may sound negative, but it’s richly deserved. This GM just keeps barking up all the wrong trees. Sometimes I think he thinks it’s all about him and his legacy. And now he is turning on Wiggins with the “he hasn’t bought into Heat culture,” nonsense. It could be argued that he is our third most valuable player, so unless it is a salary dump, not sure it’s where we should be trimming. Except that no one wants our collection of one way players and the only way we can get rid of them is in package deals. I wish more every day that he would step down.
The Pelicans are trading McCollum, Kelly O and a future second-round pick to the Wizards for Poole, Bey, and the No. 40 pick.
Kings receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr, 20th pick
Heat receive: DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Jonas Valanciunas, Devin Carter
Don’t hate me people 😆😆, but I would definitely do that trade. Monk is still pretty young and consistent, Jonas would make a solid backup center, Carter is a solid, athletic guard who I liked and was picked 2 spots before Ware, and we all know what DeRozan brings to the table.
Without knowing what else could be out there, I would do it as well. But I wanted Wiggins immediately off the team after that Cavs series. It’s possible he was injured, but I did not see a Heat player. He gave nothing and I don’t want to see that lack of heart and passion for another season or two. Yuk.
Except, as I understand it, that is a proposed trade, not a real one.
Yes, sorry, should have specified that. Of course, it was inferred in my comment that I would do it.
Miami should make Wiggins available for draft picks and hope someone is foolish enough to give us a couple.
If you are going to rightfully not included your few talented young assets in a draft for an aging Durant, you should also recognize that adding a few more draft picks to the fold would help. Hopefully Riley sees that at some point and moves Wiggins tonight for something that may not help this year, but will hopefully help in the future.
I’d be cool with restocking picks would also be cool with the Kings package. We would then have like 4 Sacramento kings guards which is a little ridiculous ship one of them out if it happens, someone could use monk I think
I would prefer Monk as a backup to Tyler off the bench over anyone else on the roster at the 2. That being said, if someone were to offer something good, sure. Trade him.