Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal

After the last two seasons, it’s hard to say exactly who Julius Randle really is.

If he’s the 2020-21 version of himself, the Miami Heat may look like they won this deal. He was a hyperefficient floor spacer who doubled as a primary playmaker for the Knicks two seasons ago. Randle was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and deservingly so.

On the other hand, if the Heat get the 2021-22 version of Randle, this trade could be a disaster for them. His three-point accuracy took a major slide last season. With that part of his game depreciating, the rest followed. Randle was wildly ineffective for the duration of the season.

In other words, it’s a gamble for the Heat. If it pays off, they’ll be a better team in 2022-23. After all, the 2020-21 version of Randle was better than any player we’ve seen Tyler Herro resemble in his career so far.

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In some ways, it makes you think. Are we sure the Knicks are ready to cut ties with Randle so shortly after his career season?