It’s the worst-kept secret in the NBA. The Miami Heat and Damian Lillard want to be together. It’s awkward. It feels like your friend’s wife is transparently into your other friend. You want to leave the party.
After all, the logistics here are complicated. The Blazers don’t seem interested in Tyler Herro. Who could blame them? This team has a glut of talented young guards. Yet, without Herro, the Heat don’t have a viable package to offer the Blazers.
Will they find a third team? Perhaps. Time will tell how this situation unfolds. With that said, if the Heat can’t find a solution, they may have to pivot to another point guard. How about Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F Nikola Jovic
Miami Heat Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie
Meanwhile, nobody needs to tell the Nets about superstars requesting trades. They’re entirely used to it. In recent years, they’ve had three-star players force their way out of town.
It started with James Harden. On the other hand, maybe it started with Kyrie Irving. It seemed as if Irving’s firm anti-vaccination stance caused Harden to grow dissatisfied in Brooklyn. Irving couldn’t play, and that seemed to frustrate Harden. Eventually, he’d force his way to the Philadelphia 76ers.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Miami Heat & Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Nets sent him there in exchange for Ben Simmons. Arguably, that led to Durant and Irving forcing their way out of town. Either way, Lillard’s request is nothing new. On the other hand, his insistence on landing on a single team is somewhat problematic. Should the Heat pivot to Dinwiddie if they can’t find a way to land Lillard?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Sure. Arguably, the Heat don’t need Lillard anyway. This team just went to the NBA Finals. Why do they need a superstar? Shouldn’t a solid offensive player like Dinwiddie be enough?
Of course, they’re not getting him for free. Robinson was a valuable part of the Heat’s Finals run this year. On the other hand, it wasn’t long ago that he was falling out Miami’s rotation due to his poor defense. All told, Miami could justify moving him to land a shot creator like Dinwiddie.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Miami Heat & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Moreover, they can easily justify moving Jovic. He wasn’t able to crack their rotation in this year’s playoffs. In all likelihood, he won’t make it next year either. The Heat don’t have developmental reps to spare. They need a point guard, and in this deal, they’re getting one. Should the Nets invest some developmental time in Jovic?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
As a result of the previously mentioned trade requests, the Nets are in an interesting position. They received some solid players and a cache of draft capital in exchange for Durant and Irving. Now, they’ve got a roster full of defensive studs – and little else.
In other words, this team won’t be making the NBA Finals next season. With that in mind, they’ve got the bandwidth to develop Jovic. He’s got potential. Jovic is a solid playmaker who offers some floor spacing. If the Nets can unlock his potential, this could be a steal.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Miami Heat & Brooklyn Nets Updates
Otherwise, the Nets may find some use for Robinson as well. This team isn’t light on shooting – and most of their shooters can defend. Still, even if Robinson falls out of their rotation, absorbing his contract to flip Dinwiddie for a young player with upside makes sense for the Nets. Eventually, theyr’e likely to flip their assets for another star anyway – that’s no secret.
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