The Miami Heat spent this whole NBA offseason star-hunting. In the end, they’d come up short in their pursuit. The Heat were frequently linked to Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers would send him to the Milwaukee Bucks anyway.
Are the Heat still star-hunting? Well, why wouldn’t they be? Sure, this team just made the NBA Finals. At the same time, they made it there via the play-in tournament. This team isn’t a lock to make another deep playoff run. The Heat could use some improvement.
Do they need a star point guard? Not necessarily. The Heat already have plenty of playmaking on their roster. They could realistically make any upgrade and bolster their title odds ahead of 2023-24.
How about Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal — Miami Heat Land Brandon Ingram
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, C Jonas Valanciunas
With that said, there are plenty of means to hunt for stars. Traditionally, the Heat have favored the trade market. This team doesn’t normally maximize their lottery odds by tanking.
The Heat are comfortable having a mediocre season – eventually, they’ll trade for a star to have a great one. By contrast, the Pelicans used a hybrid model to build their current roster.
First, they acquired Brandon Ingram via trade. Next, they’d get lucky in the lottery and select Zion Williamson. That’s a lot of star power on one team. Why aren’t the Pelicans better? Well, injuries have been to blame.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat Updates
Williamson has been constantly hurt, and Ingram has dealt with his share of injury issues as well. If the Pelicans can get healthy, it doesn’t matter how much talent they have.
Is it time for them to cut ties with Ingram?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do This Deal
One thing is clear: being built around two injury-prone players is problematic. There’s too much risk involved. Yet, some would suggest that the Pelicans should be moving their other star. Ingram gets hurt on occasion, but he’s not nearly as injury-prone as Williamson.
Sure. He doesn’t have the same upside, either. Ingram is an All-Star caliber player. When healthy, Williamson has looked like an MVP candidate.
If the Pelicans are comfortable continuing to live with the risk of Williamson getting hurt, they should build around him. By that logic, Ingram ought to be the odd man out.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat Updates
So, we’ve got them moving him here. The Pelicans are getting another player with some star upside in Herro in addition to a pair of first-round picks. That’s a fitting return for a player of Ingram’s caliber.
Should the Heat give up so much for him?
Why The Miami Heat Do This Deal
Injuries didn’t bother the Heat last season. They lost Herro for their entire playoff run. The Heat advanced to the Finals anyway. Some are wondering if they might be better off without the young volume scorer.
We’re not sure about that. Still, it does feel like Herro is expendable to this organization. If they agree, Ingram is an upgrade. His size makes him a better defensive player, and he’s got better shot selection as a scorer. Pairing Ingram with Butler and Adebauo could get Miami back into the Finals.
Adding Valanciunas helps, too. It seems as though the Pelicans would prefer to flip him for a better defensive big. That’s fair, but Valanciunas’ weak defense could be offset alongside a versatile defender like Adebauo.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat Updates
He’d give the Heat more optionality in the frontcourt – even if he’s only coming to town because the Heat finally landed their star.
