Inside The Heat

Do the Miami Heat Have Enough or Is A Move Necessary?

With the trade deadline looming, the Miami Heat have to make a decision in the next few weeks
Do the Miami Heat Have Enough or Is A Move Necessary?
Do the Miami Heat Have Enough or Is A Move Necessary?

In recent history, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has always offered a similar answer when asked the question. 

Around this time each season, he is questioned if the Heat plan on making any moves at the trade deadline. He's usually responded with his ever common answer: "we have enough." 

That may no longer be case with the Feb. 6 deadline rapidly approaching. After the Heat's loss at the San Antonio Spurs Sunday, a move may be necessary if they plan to contend in the Eastern Conference. Even with the emergence of Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro and the addition of Jimmy Butler, some consider the Heat at least one piece from making some serious noise in the postseason. 

The Heat have reportedly shown interest in New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday and guard DeMar DeRozan and forward LaMarcus Aldridge of the Spurs. They would almost certainly have to part with one of their young core players, most likely Justise Winslow, and Kelly Olynyk or Dion Waiters. All have proven expendable because of their limited production. 

Winslow has only played 11 games because of injuries while Olynyk has become a rotation casualty due to a crowded lineup. Waiters has yet to play this season after being suspended three times for violating team rules. While the Heat don't have much flexibility, team president Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg have found a way in the past. 

A play for DeRozan or Aldridge makes the most sense because either could fill needed roles. DeRozan would serve as a solid complementary scorer to Butler and Aldridge gives them a second post presence behind Adebayo. 

There is still some interest in Holiday but the Heat are more content with their point guard play than those other areas. 


Published
Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here