Victor Oladipo

Miami Heat Receive: G Victor Oladipo, F David Nwaba

Houston Rockets Receive: G Goran Dragic, G Tyler Herro, MIA 2022 1st Round Pick, MIA 2026 1st Round Pick

One of the most disappointing teams so far this season has been the Miami Heat. After making a miraculous run to the NBA Finals last season, the Heat have really struggled to get things going this year due to injuries and health & safety protocols this year.

Jimmy Butler seems to be the only consistent player for the Heat this year and unless they make a big move at the trade deadline, they are in danger of missing the playoffs this season! Adding Victor Oladipo to their roster would definitely cost them some key impact players and some draft picks, but if they are to make the playoffs and defend their Eastern Conference Title from last season, then this is a move they must make. 

After being traded to the Houston Rockets, Victor Oladipo is a player that is still carrying around a lot of NBA trade rumors with him and as a result, could be a player the Heat look to pursue before the trade deadline.

This would be a major addition for the Miami Heat in their efforts to get back to the NBA Finals because it gives them a solidified offensive talent. Jimmy Butler, when fully healthy, is the only reliable scorer on this team and while Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo all have their moments, they are still young players who are growing.

Jimmy Butler and Victor Oladipo together on the wing with shooters like Nunn, Robinson and Olynyk on the perimeter would make this Heat team extremely efficient and one of the better passing teams in the NBA. Their style of play would be virtually unguardable since they can kick the ball out for three-pointers, they could beat their opponents off-the-drive, or they could find the big man Adebayo underneath for an easy dunk.

The only question is whether or not the Heat are willing to trade away Dragic and Herro. The first-round picks are not the problem in this trade, but Miami has made it clear before that they do not intend to trade Tyler Herro by any means. 

RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: There’s ‘chatter’ about Rockets’ Victor Oladipo being back on trade market

If they are unwilling to trade him, this could end up being the deal breaker for a player like Oladipo. Ultimately, Victor Oladipo is a better offensive talent, a better defensive talent, and has been recognized league wide by being a fantastic leader, which is why the Heat should want him over Herro, but nobody knows if the Heat are desperate to make a move or not. 

With Brooklyn having a three-headed monster in Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden now, the Heat need to make a move to catch up to them and have a chance at defending their title as Eastern Conference Champions, which is why trading for Oladipo may be a given for Miami.