Picking No. 18, Miami Heat Now Have Offseason Trade Options

The Miami Heat are one win away from qualifying for the Eastern Conference Finals, from which they could make a potential run to the NBA Finals.

In the weeks after the conclusion of the season, they'll pick at No. 18 in the 2023 draft due to the fact that they were a play-in team, and thus close to the lottery.

The Heat, a team that has often been discussed as an organization in need of talent injection to get over the hump, might be in one of the most advantageous positions this coming summer, regardless of where they finish.

Being one game away from a conference, and knowing there's a Top-20 pick incoming in what looks like a generational draft, allows the Heat to entertain upgrade ideas. After all, being this close to a title, and with superstar Jimmy Butler turning 34 this year, the time is now.

The Heat differ from previous championship contenders, most of which select in the late 20's, often ending up just out of reach of elite talents. For Miami to be able to select a player in the range for Brice Sensabaugh and Jordan Hawkins is a huge asset, particularly if they're willing to pivot off that selection, and this year's rookie Nikola Jović, later in the summer.

Or, perhaps the Heat are even willing to attach Tyler Herro and see what such a young package could fetch.

Would it be enough for Washington to consider moving off Bradley Beal, a name the Heat have long been attached to? Usually, the 18th overall selection isn't much of a needle-mover, but given the projected quality of the 2023 draft, it's not unreasonable to view the 18th pick as a much higher selection in normal drafts.

This is where the Heat have some flexibility. While it would be entirely illogical of them to pivot into a youth movement - and they obviously shouldn't, given how competent they've proven themselves in the playoffs over the past two years - having the opportunity to pick a player at #18, who would likely go in the lottery in years prior, does allow for them to make sweeping changes if they so desire.

They likely won't as long as Pat Riley is in charge, nor should they, but it's at least an option, and options are good to have.

Of course, everything changes if a player with star upside, such as Cason Wallace, slips down to their pick. Miami would have an even stronger incentive to make a trade, and really squeeze the lemon as much as possible based on the upside of Wallace, or someone of that caliber.

What the Heat shouldn't do is try to bridge the gap, and have two variations of the same team. The Warriors, who wanted a seamless transition from the Stephen Curry era to the James Wiseman era, is a cautionary tale for trying to play both sides of the fence at the same time. The Warriors won the championship last year, but did so off the backs of veterans, and the progression of their young core is not exactly encouraging. Wiseman is now in Detroit, and Jordan Poole currently looks like a player who is overtaxed compared to his compensation level.

Miami does need to get younger, but not to the extent of adding on teenagers. They need players in their primes, preferably in the mid-to-late 20's who have experience and know what needs to be done for the Heat to reach the mountaintop.

Even the aforementioned Herro, one could argue, is years away from reaching his prime. When he does, how far down has Butler dropped in his production? Those are questions that the Heat need to discuss if they are to make a serious play for an upgrade this summer.

For them to sit on #18 is an enormous luxury, considering how bleak their future has looked at times. It presents them with an opportunity to swing for the fences, and potentially acquire a difference-maker.

And heck, if that chance comes on the heels of a championship run, all the better.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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