Nobody expected the Miami Heat to be in the NBA Finals last year. Yet, there they were. Will they get back there next year? It depends. It would be a difficult task, but with some roster upgrades, it’s possible.
At the moment, everyone knows what upgrade Miami wants to make. This team has an eye on Damian Lillard. It makes sense – the Heat could use an upgrade at point guard. Whether they land him remains to be seen.
With that said, the Heat could use some more upgrades, too. That’s why it was such a surprise to see them in the Finals. Specifically, this team could use some size in the frontcourt. The Heat could use a backup big man, and someone with size who can man the 4. How about Naz Reid of the Minnesota Timberwolves?
The Trade Proposal
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, 2027 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F/C Naz Reid, F Kyle Anderson
On the other hand, the Timberwolves certainly aren’t starved for size in the frontcourt. They may have too much of it. This team starts a pair of centers, and their best reserve is a 5 as well.
It raises questions about how NBA basketball is best played. For a while, small ball was the trend. Sure, the league is moving away from that style. To what extent? Are Twin Towers really coming back? Well, not if you ask the Miami Heat. They made a run to the Finals with one of the smallest frontcourts in the league.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves & Miami Heat Updates
Realistically, versatile ball is what’s fashionable. A team can run dual bigs, but one of them needs to be a perimeter stopper. Seemingly, the Wolves missed the memo on that front. Does moving Reid help them balance their roster?
Why The Minnesota Timberwolves Do The Deal
In the midst of all that, the Wolves extended Reid. That made sense – Reid is a good player, and they didn’t want to lose him for nothing. Still, it feels like a misallocation of resources to start two big men when your lead reserve is big as well.
So, this deal has Minnesota relieving some of that pressure. It’s also got them landing a protected first-round pick. The Timberwolves sent out a staggering four unprotected firsts for Gobert. With that in mind, they should be happy to make up any draft capital that they can.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves & Miami Heat Updates
Should they be happy to take on Robinson? That’s debatable. Sure, he’s on a sizeable contract. On the other hand, it’s a moveable one. Moreover, for all of his flaws, Robinson is one of the very best shooters in the NBA. Should the Heat really move on from him?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Robinson may be an elite shooter. This is still a tremendous roster upgrade for the Heat. Where Robinson is a limited defender, Reid and Anderson both offer value on that end.
Moreover, Reid is the floor-spacing big man that the Heat have been missing. He can comfortably play alongside Bam Adebayo. In fact, the two would offer Miami plenty of frontcourt versatility. So would Anderson. He’s a big, playmaking forward who offers some shooting and defense as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves & Miami Heat Updates
Are either player Damian Lillard? Of course not. With that said Miami got to the Finals with Kyle Lowry at the helm. Nobody expected them to do that – so imagine what they could do with Reid and Anderson.
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