When a team makes the NBA Finals, we assume they’re poised for another successful season. In 2023-24, the Miami Heat are an exception.
Perhaps that’s because their run to the Finals was so exceptional in the first place. After all, this team made its way to the playoffs through the play-in tournament. Miami was the season’s Cinderella story. For fans of the organization, it was wildly exciting.
With that said, it didn’t inspire feelings of confidence moving forward. How would the Heat repeat this feat? For much of this year, it didn’t look possible. As of recently, Miami are playing better.
Still, it feels like this team would have to make a major trade if they were going to return to the Finals. Could they make a move for Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards?
NBA Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Land Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma
Washington Wizards Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F Nikola Jovic, G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Miami Heat Receive: F Kyle Kuzma
No matter what happens, give the Heat credit. Making their way to the NBA Finals wasn’t easy. That’s a difficult goal for any team to accomplish. Some teams go years on end without coming even close.
Look at the Wizards. During the Bradley Beal era, this team never sniffed the Finals. They won a playoff series once. When Beal was paired with John Wall in the backcourt, there was some reason for hope in Washington.
Once Wall’s career was knocked off course by injury, that hope died. With that said, it took the Wizards a while to accept that death.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat Updates
This summer, they finally did. The Wizards sent Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns. Now, this organization is rebuilding. Should they move Kuzma for a package like this one?
Why The Washington Wizards Do The Deal
The Wizards would surely prefer to move Kuzma for a first-round pick. Sure. Given his contract, that doesn’t feel likely. Kuzma is on a large, long-term deal. Teams will be apprehensive about accepting him.
So, this deal is partly about cleaning up the books for Washington. Robinson owns a significant deal in his own right, but it’s smaller. He should be easier to move with that in mind.
As Robinson’s contract ages, Washington will be able to send him to a contender in need of shooting. In the meantime, they’re landing two intriguing young players.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat Updates
Jovic was showing potential before he got injured this year. Jaquez Jr. looks like a long-term role player, but the Wizards will need pieces like him as they move into their rebuild.
Should the Heat give those young guys up for Kuzma?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Some Heat fans won’t like this. We know. Kuzma has been shooting poorly from long-range this year. By moving Robinson, the Heat are killing their spacing. Didn’t hot shooting get them into the NBA Finals last year?
It did. Does that feel like a sustainable strategy? We don’t think so. Meanwhile, the Heat are at a talent deficit if they’re trying to get back to the big dance.
That’s the simple justification for this deal: Miami is landing the best player in it. More broadly, this team would use some size at the wings. The Denver Nuggets beat them in the matchup game in last year’s Finals.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat Updates
Kuzma would have been useful for containing Aaron Gordon. In other words, adding Kuzma could help Miami get back to the Finals – and win this time.
