The Miami Heat have as good of a chance to win the NBA Finals this season as seemingly any team in the league. They have been one of the best teams throughout the season, as they currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with a record of 45-24.
They are 2.5 games clear of the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks and are in prime position to ensure the Eastern Conference will go through South Beach. While all of their focus is on closing out this season, some people have already begun looking to the future for the Heat.
Miami is always willing to make a deal if they believe it will get them closer to winning a championship. Pat Riley is as aggressive as anyone in the front office and isn’t afraid to make a splash.
“We all know Miami goes big-fish hunting,” one general manager told B/R. We have seen them do that numerous times in the past. They were able to lure LeBron James and Chris Bosh to Miami to team up with Dwyane Wade. More recently, they were able to acquire Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry for the most recent roster build.
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It is one thing to land the star players, but it takes a lot of work to even be in a position to do so. Riley cleared the deck to bring in James and Bosh in 2010. Sign-and-trades were done to land Butler and Lowry.
“They are the best in the league at lining up for a big move,” a Western Conference executive added. Could the Heat be in the process of doing that again? While their one trade at the deadline with the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t garner too many headlines, it opened up some flexibility for them.
The Heat can now trade their 2023 first-round pick, giving them more ammunition to create a trade package should a player they covet become available. One of the star players that they could have their eye on is Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, who will likely become a free agent this summer after declining his player option.
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But, Miami will not be left with egg on their face should they be unable to acquire someone such as Beal. “They have plans for every actuality,” said one source with knowledge of Miami’s thinking. “They’re a team that plans for every situation.”
There are rumors that they could still part with Tyler Herro should an All-Star become available. If a deal of that size doesn’t materialize, they have no problem shopping Duncan Robinson as the centerpiece of a deal.
That harkens back to the source that said the Miami Heat always has a plan. No matter what is thrown their way, they are ready to take it head-on and accomplish what they set out to do.
