The Miami Heat are looking primed for a deep playoff run. How can they add some extra depth at the trade deadline?
The Heat are off to a strong start this season, currently holding the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and building momentum for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. However, their record belies a team that still has some holes to plug. As of this writing, they have just the 10th-best point differential in the league and neither their offensive or defensive efficiency ranks in the top nine.
The Heat don’t have a ton of flexibility to add depth without parting with some other important part of their rotation, with Justise Winslow being the only real exception. Winslow broke out as a full-time point guard last season but nagging back injuries have limited him to just 11 games this season. He still has plenty of value but the team has thrived without him, making him somewhat expendable. If they can flip him for depth and at least some sort of future value it could raise the ceiling in the short-term.
5. Put Danilo Gallinari in the frontcourt
Heat Get
Danilo Gallinari
Darius Bazely
Thunder Get
Justise Winslow
Dion Waiters
The Thunder have also been a surprise this year but will likely be flipping veterans like Gallinari in pursuit of future assets. They might prefer draft picks but Winslow is still just 23 and could be just coming into his prime by the time they’re ready to pivot towards competing at a high level.
For the Heat, Gallinari would fit in seamlessly — a reliable 3-point shooter who doesn’t need shots but can work as a secondary creator and attack a wider variety of mismatches as a scorer. Darius Bazely is a project but including him as a throw-in gives Miami at least some nod to value beyond this season.