Right now, the Miami Heat find themselves in the NBA Finals following a historic run as the eighth seed. While all their focus is on taking down the Denver Nuggets right now, the front office has to be keeping an eye on the future.
Over the past four years, Miami has made it to the conference finals three times and the finals twice. With this core proving it can compete on the big stage, the organization should be looking to go all in. Jimmy Butler only has so many years left of his prime, and the Heat need to capitalize on it.
As the offseason gets ready to begin, the people at Bleacher Report came up with one big trade for every team. When discussing the Heat, they mentioned Utah Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen as a possible target.
“Miami could win the friggin’ championship and would still need to fortify the frontline and half-court offense,” Dan Favale wrote. “Lauri Markkanen’s outside stroke, play-finishing and dab of a floor game does just that. And much more.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates
Markkanen is coming off a career year this season for the Jazz. In 66 games, he averaged 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 1.9 APG. On top of that, he shot 39.1% from beyond the arc on close to eight attempts per game.
As he is getting ready to enter the prime of his career, Markkanen would be an ideal fit for the Miami Heat. Because of his ability to space the floor, he could play alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. He is a solid defender and would give a scoring punch next to Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates
Kevin Love has been a solid pick-up for the Heat this year but is nearing the end of his career. Markkanen can fill a similar type of role and is much younger.
This move would be a no-brainer for the Heat, but they’d have to pay a steep price as Markkanen’s value has never been higher.
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