Miami Heat Should Explore Sign-and-Trade for Bennedict Mathurin

The Miami Heat are patiently waiting for Klay Thompson to potentially be bought out by the Dallas Mavericks. There is no guarantee that happens, so what should the Heat's backup plan be?

If I were in the Heat’s front office, I would explore a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin. Mathurin might not be the perfect fit, but I am intrigued by the idea of bringing in a 2424-year-oldlayer who still has a lot of untapped potential. The Heat need more backcourt scoring and ball handling, and there are very few players left in free agency with that skill set. Mathurin does a great job creating his own shot, and his main skill set is scoring.

The former No. 6 overall pick has averaged 16.2 points per game for his career and has already established himself as a productive NBA scorer. He's athletic, aggressive, and can attack the basket. He has also shown an impressive ability to get to the free-throw line.

That's something the Heat could use.

Mathurin Addresses a Major Need for the Heat

Miami already has Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo leading the frontcourt, but the backcourt remains an area where the Heat could improve. The Heat lost a lot of backcourt talent after trading away Tyler Herro and not re-signing Norman Powell.

The Heat do not need Mathurin to become a star and a primary option on the offense. He simply will be another offensive weapon that Erik Spoelstra can turn to when the Heat’s offense goes stagnant. If Mathurin comes off the bench, he will be one of the Heat’s best rotational players, and he can get more usage. He would provide the Heat with instant offense off the bench while still having the upside to eventually develop into something more.

There Are Reasons to Be Cautious With Mathurin

As I mentioned earlier, Mathurin is not a perfect player.

His style of play has been questioned throughout his short career. He can become too focused on scoring, and he’s not a natural playmaker. The Heat also need a playmaker and someone who can create shots for others, not just themselves. Those concerns contributed to Indiana eventually moving him to Los Angeles.

If any team could rejuvenate a player, it's the Miami Heat. Spoelstra could give Mathurin a defined role on a team where he wouldn't have to carry the offense. The Heat have also built a reputation for getting more out of players when they buy into their system. If he can buy into his role and become a more disciplined player, then he could be a very good fit on this roster.

Could Nikola Jovic Be Part of a Sign-and-Trade?

Mathurin is a restricted free agent, so the only chance the Heat can add him is through a sign-and-trade. I predict Mathurin could land a new deal in about three years, for $45 million to $60 million at most. If the Clippers are unwilling to pay him what he's looking for, that could open the door for another team.

This is where Nikola Jovic comes into play. Jovic still has upside, but his long-term future in Miami is far from guaranteed after a disappointing season last year. If the Heat could use him as the centerpiece of a deal to acquire a 24-year-old former lottery pick who has already proven he can score at the NBA level, it's something Miami should seriously consider.

Three-Point Shooting Is the Biggest Concern

There is one obvious problem with Mathurin's fit in Miami and that's shooting. Mathurin has yet to establish himself as a consistently reliable three-point shooter, and that's particularly important on a team featuring Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.

Miami needs to surround its two stars with as much shooting as possible. Adding another player who isn't afraid to leave open could create spacing issues. That doesn't mean the Heat should completely dismiss Mathurin.

Miami still has roster flexibility to add another player, and if Mathurin were acquired, finding another reliable three-point shooter should become a priority with the Heat's 14th roster spot.

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