Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Miami Heat
NBA trade rumors involving Victor Oladipo to the Heat have been going on long before the season began and even though he was just traded to the Rockets, he could be there just for a matter of weeks. If there is one thing we can always count on with Heat President of Basketball Operations, Pat Riley, it is that he is always looking for ways to add All-Star level talent to his roster in order to compete for championships.
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 Kendrick Nunn, 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 Goran Dragic, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson 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.
Miami is already short-handed when it comes to draft assets, which is why this trade could ultimately fall through. They do not have many first-round draft picks and giving up two of them for a player who is coming off some major injuries is definitely a “yellow flag” for the Heat. Victor Oladipo does appear to be fully healed though and is playing at a high-level, which is why he is a prime trade target for the Heat.
The only question is what the Heat would have to give up in return for Oladipo. Houston would definitely want a decent sized trade package for the former NBA All-Star player, which could mean they would want young talents such as Tyler Herro and/or Kendrick Nunn, plus some first-round picks like the trade scenario above.
RELATED: NBA Trade Rumors: Victor Oladipo considered likely to sign contract extension if traded to Heat
Miami has been adamant about the idea of trading Tyler Herro, but if they truly want to maximize their chances to win a championship, then trading him for Oladipo is a terrific move. Herro has a lot of upside as a young player, but Oladipo is just 28-years old and still has plenty of years left in him.
With Brooklyn having a three-headed monster in KD, Kyrie and 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 Victor Oladipo may be a given for Miami.
