If you’re an elite shooter, you’ll find a role in the NBA. It doesn’t matter what else you can do. If you can shoot with more efficiency than most human beings, you can play basketball at the NBA level.
In fact, there are shooting specialists who can do little else. That’s how valuable shooting is in the NBA. You could be a below-average athlete who can’t defend with no floor vision. If you’re an elite shooter, guess what? You’re in the NBA.
Just ask Duncan Robinson of the Miami Heat. His defense is so porous that at one time, he fell out of Miami’s rotation. In this year’s playoffs, he found his way back. Robinson’s shooting was too elite to keep off the floor. Could the Heat trade him to the New York Knicks anyway?
The Trade Proposal
Miami Heat Receive: G/F Evan Fournier
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson
On the other hand, paying a shooting specialist can be complicated. If a player can’t do anything outside of shoot, what are they worth? Sometimes, teams overestimate that value.
Look at Robinson. For a long time, he’s been regarded as having one of the worst contracts in the NBA. With that said, that perception may have changed. Robinson was just part of an NBA Finals run – maybe he’s worth his contract after all.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat & New York Knicks Updates
Davis Bertans of the Oklahoma City Thunder won’t be. At this point, that seems obvious. This is another shooting specialist who offers little else. By now, Bertans simply jumps from NBA team to NBA team as a salary matcher in trades. Should the Heat similarly bounce Robinson to the Knicks?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Sure, Robinson worked his way back into the rotation. Will he fall out of it again? The point stands – Robinson is a poor defender. Time will tell whether the Heat will be willing to rely on him.
Would they be willing to rely on Fournier? It’s hard to say. Fournier is not on Robinson’s level as a shooter. He’s solid, but he’s inconsistent – he won’t have Robinson’s gravity. With that said, he’s the more well-rounded player. Fournier is a better – if still weak – defender, and a better shot creator and playmaker.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat & New York Knicks Updates
Moreover, and perhaps most importantly, he’s on an expiring deal. This trade has the Heat gaining considerable financial flexibility. If they don’t acquire Damian Lillard this summer, they may want to be major players in free agency next summer. Should the Knicks help put them in that position?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
For the Knicks, this deal just reiterates the importance of floor spacing. They need it badly, and this deal has them getting it. They’re acquiring one of the best floor spacers in the NBA.
They’re sacrificing financial flexibility in the process. That’s fine. The Knicks have had Fournier’s contract on the books for years. They obviously have a knack for working around bad deals. Meanwhile, they’ve got the draft capital to make a major move if one becomes available. The Knicks are more likely to play the trade market than the free agency market, so they don’t mind having Robinson on the books.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Duncan Robinson, Miami Heat & New York Knicks Updates
He may also make them a better team. The Knicks offense is built around Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. If RJ Barrett takes a step forward, hell be included on that list – and keeping him at the 3 full-time could help him do so. With Robinson starting at the 2, the Knicks will have better floor spacing for their stars to operate in. We all know how valuable that can be.
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