Why Heat should consider selling off vets if struggles continue - Hot Hot Hoops

Heat Knicks The Miami Heat are currently 15-15 in the East. (Photo Courtesy of the Miami Heat // Twitter)

After an encouraging 14-7 start during arguably the toughest part of their schedule, the Miami Heat have hit a road-block.

They are losers of eight of their last nine, despite encouraging performances from Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis (versus Celtics) and Jaime Jaquez Jr., among others, over that span.

Teams begin to separate themselves after 25-30 games. Miami, currently 15-15, is on track for its fourth-straight play-in tournament appearance. As the deadline looms, if their struggles continue, they should explore a route they haven’t quite considered in the past.

Heat should entertain selling off vets, including Norman Powell:

The story around the NBA is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Earlier this month, I opined that I expected the two-time MVP to be traded ahead of the deadline. Though as the days pass, it’s become more clear that 1.) the Bucks aren’t making him available and 2.) Antetokounmpo is hesitant to publicly request a trade, thereby creating a game of chicken without an (imminent) end in sight.

A lot can change over the next five or so weeks. Should he be made available, the Heat should push all their chips to the middle and attempt to acquire him.

But what if they don’t land him?! Recent history says they won’t. Recent history also suggest they’re continue treading water. Miami’s not in a position to realistically compete without the nine-time All-Star. Thus, they should explore selling off veterans — including Norman Powell, who’s been a breath of fresh air for them this season.

As we’ve belabored over time, the Heat’s treasure chest of assets is … empty. Ware’s done a great job developing into arguably their most valuable asset. But they still have only two tradable first-round picks through 2032 and will be out of their 2027 first-rounder due to the Terry Rozier debacle.

Not to mention, Miami is also without each of its next seven second-round picks. Collectively, this team has been nothing short of mediocre and irrelevant over the last four seasons.

At some point, it must pick a direction.

While we aren’t privy to the conversations held behind closed doors, one could argue the Heat missed an opportunity to potentially sell high on Tyler Herro, who is set to miss his 25th game of the season on Friday. Herro will be an expiring after 2025-26, as will veteran Andrew Wiggins, who reportedly garnered interest from the Los Angeles Lakers and Bucks last summer.

Additionally, Powell is having the best season of his career and is at the tail-end of his prime; Simone Fontecchio’s another cheap-ish $8.3 million expiring; Davion Mitchell will be a $12.4 million expiring in 2026-27, too.

To restock their war chest, the Heat will have to have some uncomfortable conversations. They’ve had to navigate similar troubles that they did last year after trading Jimmy Butler, particularly offensively without a true No. 1 option.

Either they commit to going all-in for Antetokounmpo or start selling off veterans — no middle ground. Every player has a price, so they shouldn’t be afraid to pull the trigger if the right deals surface, especially if they can acquire more first round draft capital.

Even in the weakest Eastern Conference in recent memory, the Heat are, once again, mediocre. They aren’t in a position to continue to kick the can down the road. And if they do, they’re going to be in the exact same position they’re in now: Directionless, arguably the worst place to be as a sports franchise.

Why Heat should consider selling off vets if struggles continue – Hot Hot Hoops

Tags: