After a long wait, it has finally happened. The NBA season is back. The preseason is underway, and soon enough, the games will count again. At this time of the year, everyone’s talking about who will contend for the NBA title.
Somehow, the Miami Heat are absent from most people’s lists. How can that be? The Heat are fresh off of an NBA Finals appearance. Sure, they’ve lost some role players, but in all likelihood, they’ll unearth new ones. Are we underestimating the Heat again?
Perhaps. On the other hand, the Heat snuck into the playoffs through the play-in tournament. This team could regress if they can’t find budget replacements for Max Struss and Gabe Vincent. Perhaps they were so intent on adding Damian Lillard this summer. Could they target another star? How about Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans?
The Trade Proposal
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Tyler Herro, G/F Duncan Robinson, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F Brandon Ingram
Why didn’t the Heat prevail in the Finals? There are several answers. The first one is simple: the Denver Nuggets were better. The Heat didn’t have an answer for Nikola Jokic – nobody did. Still, life could have been a little easier on the Heat, too.
If they’d had a better option at the four, that would have helped. The Heat had two choices: start the smaller Caleb Martin or the slower Kevin Love. Neither was an excellent match for the big, athletic Aaron Gordon. Meanwhile, the Heat were already undersized, with Adebayo at the five. The Nuggets were not a good matchup for this team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Miami Heat Updates
Did the Heat miss Tyler Herro? That’s a more complex call. For what it’s worth, the Heat got to the NBA Finals without him. At the same time, they could have used his half-court creation in the Finals. Should they send him away now?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Absolutely. Perhaps the Heat aren’t currently in a position to return to the Finals. This deal gets them there. If the Heat made this trade, they’d be a much better team than they currently stand to be on paper.
Remember the Heat’s dilemma at the four? It won’t be a problem after this deal. Nance Jr. is an excellent defensive forward who can guard across positions. In tandem with Adebayo, he’ll give the Heat one of the most versatile defensive frontcourts in the league. Yet, that’s not the main reason for Miami to make this move.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Miami Heat Updates
That would be the addition of Brandon Ingram. He’s a dynamic shot creator. The Heat would likely play him at the two, giving them plus positional size at every spot besides the five. This is the deal for them if Miami wants to get back into the Finals. Should the Pelicans make the trade?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
By contrast, this wouldn’t be an easy decision for the Pelicans. It may be the right one. This team has plenty of talent, but injuries have held them back. For what it’s worth, nobody is picking the Pelicans to get to the NBA Finals.
If anyone had faith in Zion Williamson’s body, that might change. He’s perhaps the most injury-prone star in the NBA. Still, when he’s healthy, Williamson looks like a perennial MVP candidate. If New Orleans plans on keeping him around, they might as well build around him.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans & Miami Heat Updates
That’s the idea here. Herro may better fit alongside Williamson as a superior floor spacer to Ingram. Robinson injects some movement shooting onto this roster as well. Still, the main purpose for the Pelicans here is to land a pair of first-round picks. They’d be adding those picks to an impressive draft capital collection. That could help them join the ranks of the NBA’s contenders in time.
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