Everybody needs a Plan B. NBA teams are no exception. They can’t afford to assume that their Plan A will come to fruition. The Miami Heat would do well to keep that in mind.
This team is widely expected to pursue Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. Apparently, Lillard’s interest is mutual. Still, the Heat don’t have the best trade assets, and the Blazers don’t have to send Lillard anywhere if they don’t want to.
So, the Heat may need a Plan B. This team could still use a dynamic offensive guard. If they can’t land Lillard, they may have to look for another one. How about Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets?
The Trade Proposal
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F/C Kevin Love, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Terry Rozier
On the other hand, sometimes, Plan A works out. Excellent. Now, you need to hope that it was the right plan in the first place.
The Charlotte Hornets entered the NBA Draft with a plan. That plan was to draft Brandon Miller. This was not the plan that many expected them to execute. Many fans around the NBA expected them to select Scoot Henderson.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Miami Heat & Charlotte Hornets Updates
What were the Hornets thinking? Well, in all likelihood, they were thinking that they didn’t want to pair LaMelo Ball with another point guard long-term. There’s some logic there. With that in mind, can they really afford to lose Rozier?
Why The Charlotte Hornets Do The Deal
Sure. Frankly, we don’t think Rozier is the best fit alongside Ball anyway. He’s a ball-dominant scoring guard. Ball may be better suited to play alongside a more dynamic off-ball threat.
Here, the Hornets are landing a couple. This deal gives them a boost to their floor spacing. Robinson is one of the best movement shooters in the NBA. Meanwhile, Love can replace P.J. Washington if the Hornets don’t replace him. Like Washington, he can man the 5 in small lineups that space out the floor.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Miami Heat & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Of course, neither of those players are as impactful as Rozier. That’s why the Hornets are getting an unprotected first-round pick here as well. Should the Heat give so much up for Rozier?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Absolutely. There’s nothing complicated about this on Miami’s end. They’re fresh off an NBA Finals appearance. They need some guard depth. Why not Terry Rozier?
Sure, he’s a score-first guard. That’s fine. The Heat get plenty of playmaking from Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler. Meanwhile, Rozier feels like a nice fit in Eric Spolestra’s drive-and-kick system. If Coach Spo can iron out some of his worst habits, he could be a tremendous upgrade for this roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Terry Rozier, Miami Heat & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Is he Damian Lillard? No. The Heat may not want to rush into this deal. If there’s a way to bring Lillard on board, that would be preferable. If not? Rozier could be a perfect Plan B.
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