Some members of the Miami Heat feel that they “have enough”. The implication is obvious – they feel that the Heat have enough to return to the NBA Finals in 2023-24. Are they sure about that?
Count the Heat out at your peril. This team wasn’t supposed to be in the NBA Finals last year. Miami always seems to field a more competitive team than expected. At the same time, it’s hard to love this team’s chance at making the Finals as currently constructed.
After all, that’s a high bar. The Heat made an unlikely run last season. If they want to repeat that feat, they could use an injection of talent in their backcourt.
Could they make a move for Dejounte Murray of the Atlanta Hawks?
NBA Trade Proposal: Miami Heat Land Atlanta Hawks’ Pascal Siakam
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Kyle Lowry, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Dejounte Murray
We don’t mean to fault those Heat players for feeling confident. That’s exactly how they should feel. Realistically, that confidence has been built into this team’s culture for a long time.
Meanwhile, no team is known for their culture like the Heat. Some have suggested that the concept is overblown. What is a team’s culture?
Isn’t that simply a credit to the coaching staff? Isn’t culture an intangible, immeasurable concept? Perhaps. Yet, success can be measured. The Heat have had a lot of it – often, even with a talent deficit.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat Updates
Heat Culture doesn’t feel like a myth when you look at this team’s history. Could acquiring Murray help them add another championship to that history?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
We think so. Miami is built around their frontcourt duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Anyone playing with them ought to be a decent shooter. Up until this season, that would have made Murray a poor fit.
In 2023-24, he’s connecting from long range with regularity. On the other hand, some have suggested that Murray has regressed as a defender.
That may be true, but it’s also where that Heat Culture comes into play. In all likelihood, Murray would return to his previously elite form on that end of the floor in South Beach.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, he provides the perimeter creation that this team is lacking outside of Tyler Herro. Acquiring Murray would take the Heat from plucky underdogs to true title contenders.
Should the Hawks help them make that transition?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
The Hawks are not title contenders. At this point, even their playoff odds are looking slim. This team invested a lot in Murray last summer, and so far, it’s looking like a questionable investment.
Here, they’re returning some of that investment. The Hawks sent the San Antonio Spurs three unprotected first-round picks in exchange for Murray. By getting two back, they’re taking a loss – but it’s a minimal loss. Given how the market has changed, the Hawks will live with that outcome.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat Updates
They’ll also be happy to take back Lowry’s expiring contract. This team’s books look a little messy – this deal helps the Hawks tidy them up. In the end, they’ll try to use these picks and this salary relief with one goal in mind – to have enough.
