Miami Heat Fans Expressed Frustration After No Trades Were Made
The message from Miami Heat fans was clear from the start of the season: Get Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo some help to compete.
This final window was the opportunity to accomplish this feat. However, the Heat made no trades and barely expressed interest in making transactions. The fanbase unloaded on the Heat front office, particularly president Pat Riley.
The Heat barely missed the Finals last postseason because of a lack of offensive presence aside from Butler. They were a solid piece from being true contenders but the organization stayed stagnant. The additions made by the Bucks, Sixers, Celtics and Cavaliers made the Heat’s need for outside help even larger.
Miami taking a step back this season has many worried about Butler’s future with the organization. Butler is in his prime, and if Miami were to compete with him, it would be now. Age is starting to be a factor with Butler being 33 years old now. In addition, his patience may run out after giving his all to Miami for years without much help.
Kyle Lowry said he felt like last year’s playoffs were “a wasted opportunity.” In hindsight, this may have been the Heat’s last chance to make it if there is nothing done in the future. This is why the calls for bigger pieces were so drastic.
For the rest of the season, the struggles by the Heat will be magnified by the lack of transactions made on this day.
The Heat play the league-worst Houston Rockets Friday at 8 p.m.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
