The Miami Heat missed out on Kyrie Irving. People in NBA circles are talking. Are the Heat out of touch? Did they rely too much on their ability to attract stars? Where does this organization go from here?
Fair questions. At the same time, we could have asked similar questions heading into last season. Where was the Heat heading? Straight to the NBA Finals, apparently. The Heat may have missed out on Lillard, but we can only count them out at our peril.
Still, this team could use a point guard. Kyle Lowry still has some value in spurts, but at his age, he’s not a reliable option. Moreover, the Heat lost Gabe Vincent in free agency this summer.
Could they acquire Spencer Dinwiddie from the Brooklyn Nets?
NBA Trade Proposal — Miami Heat Land Spencer Dinwiddie
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie
With that said, a lot of teams ended up linked to Lillard. The Toronto Raptors were said to be the frontrunners. Teams like the Chicago Bulls and the Orlando Magic were in the mix.
Eventually, he’d land on the Milwaukee Bucks. Yet one team was conspicuously absent from Lillard talks. Why didn’t the Nets get in the mix? This team could be a star guard away from title contention.
They’ve also got the assets to make a deal work. For whatever reason, we seldom saw Lillard linked to the Nets. Where is this team heading? It’s hard to say.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat Updates
The Nets have an impressive collection of draft capital, but they do not control their own draft for some time. The Houston Rockets control it. Brooklyn has no incentive to tank, but at the same time, they don’t have the firepower to compete for the title.
Does this deal push them in a direction?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do This Deal
If the Nets did make this deal, Rockets fans would rejoice. This deal certainly doesn’t make them better right now. The Nets would be without a starting-caliber point guard if they moved Dinwiddie.
At the same time, they’d be adding yet another pick to their arsenal. In all likelihood, the Nets won’t be using their collection of draft capital to select and develop young players.
Instead, they’ll move them for a start. For whatever reason, they didn’t seem interested in Lillard. That doesn’t mean they won’t want another star in time.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat Updates
This pick alone won’t get them one. It doesn’t need to – the Nets have a lot of draft capital. This is just one more weapon at their disposal. Should the Heat send it to them?
Why The Miami Heat Do This Deal
By all accounts, it seemed like the Heat weren’t willing to give up market value for Lillard. That’s fair – in the end, he was costly for the Bucks. Yet, Miami needs a point guard. Perhaps they could target a lower-cost one.
In theory, Dinwiddie may not even cost a first-rounder. Yet, the Nets are also absorbing Robinson’s contract here. In the aggregate, that should be enough for Miami to give up a protected first.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat Updates
After all, Dinwiddie is a good player. He may not be an all-star, but he can create his own shot and set up teammates as well. With Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo on the roster, the Heat don’t need much else from the point guard spot – Damian Lillard or not.
