After reaching the NBA Finals last year and eventually falling to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat entered the 2020-21 NBA season with high expectations and failed. They are currently less than .500 at 11-15 and have a lot of work to do if they are going to win the playoffs this year!
According to projections, Heat are still a playoff team in the East this season, but if they continue to struggle and lose games, then they can not have a game in the first round against the 76ers, Nets or Bucks, which is not ideal be for the Heat.
As Jimmy Butler lost time due to injuries this season and COVID-19 affecting several Heat players, this team barely played at full strength, which is a direct reason why they struggled this year. Getting the team back at 100% is currently the top priority for the Heat, but it needs to get better because they do not have time to wait.
Even though they are at full strength, this Miami Heat team seems to be missing something this year. They basically give their entire team back from a year ago, minus Jae Crowder and Derrick Jones Jr., but outside of Butler and Adebayo, this team sometimes struggled to find production.
Miami really needs that third All-Star caliber talent to push them over the edge again to contest the title. Therefore, we can see that Pat Riley and the Heat office are aggressive against the deadline this year. With the rumors that there are numerous All-Star talents available, the Heat could be very much in the game to effect a bragging right deal.
That being said, let’s look at three trades the Heat will consider doing as the NBA trade deadline approaches rapidly.