Making the Case: Miami Heat
As previously mentioned, Duncan Robinson has completely fallen out of the Heat’s rotation. With Max Strus’s emergence, Miami is able to replicate most of his production without having to deploy a complete turnstile on defense.
Not only is Strus a much better defender, but he also comes at a fraction of the cost. Instead of continuing to pay Robinson $18 million per year, the Heat could cut bait on him now and diversify their roster.
In return for the slightly overpaid sharpshooter, Miami brings in Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn.
Horton-Tucker isn’t nearly as great of a prospect as Lakers fans make him out to be, but he is a useful utility player. He has great size for a guard at 6’5 and has a massive wingspan.
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His lower body strength allows him to bulldoze his way into the paint consistently to either collapse the defense for kick-outs or to finish at the hole on his own. He should be a versatile defender, especially if he buys into the infamous Heat culture.
Kendrick Nunn is already accustomed to that same culture and the Heat’s playbook. Bringing him back gives Miami a true backup point guard and should add to their depth and offensive versatility.
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At the very least, both he and Horton-Tucker can be used as an asset in further trades and should be easier to move than Robinson’s massive contract.
