Wildcard TV

The Miami Heat nearly had the worst case scenario off-season with losing Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and losing Oladipo to injury last playoffs. Unfortunately, not only did the Miami Heat lose those players but they didn’t add much in addition to or in replacement of, only acquiring Thomas Bryant and RJ Hampton. Make no mistake, Bryant and Hampton are two really low risk high reward pickups that could be a vital part to a successful Miami Heat season, Bryant replace Dedmon who Miami parted ways with last season and might I add is quite an upgrade at the center position. RJ Hampton is a young wing player who has shown glimpses of his high potential but hasn’t been able to reach that yet, (Miami does a great job helping young players get to that point) regardless those moves are not season altering for Miami Heat. Miami metaphorically bet all their chips on red, giving their full focus on acquiring Damian Lillard who had expressed his interest of specifically joining the Miami Heat. With uncertainty of how much effort and urgency was put into completing that task, they were unable to do it and allowing two teams in your conference to benefit from the move instead.

Regardless of what happened behind-the-scenes, failing to acquire any all-star level players this off-season left Miami Heat roster in a bad place. Which finally raises the big question, with he championship window likely being closed for Miami should they take this L on the chin, shop Jimmy Butler and began to build around Bam and Herro? I believe they should. While Jimmy Butler has lead Miami Heat to so much success these past couple of years, realistically, he is on the back-end of his career but proven to still be such a valuable player. Miami Heat should use that value to their advantage and corporate with Jimmy on finding him a good chance of winning a ring but also setting yourself up for success in the near future. An important part in this theory is realizing Bam Adebayo’s contract is up after this year and you could potentially lose him if you do not show him something appealing happening within the organization. Granted, Bam is eligible for a supermax contract this off-season and it’s unlikely that he will walk away from that, Miami should not chance it. Here is a list of players Miami should target from each team in a potential Jimmy-based trade. Even some teams that are unlikely to deal with Miami;

76ers: Tyrese Maxey

Bulls: Lavine, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White

Cavs: Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Issac Okoro, Caris Lavert, Jarrett Allen, Emoni Bates

Celtics: Jaylen Brown

Clippers: Bones Hyland, Norman Powell, Primo, Zubac

Grizzlies: Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, Zaire Williams, GG Jackson

Hawks: Dejounte Murray, Deandre Hunter, Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey

Hornets: Lamelo Ball, Terry Rozier, PJ Washington, Miles Bridges

Jazz: John Collins, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen

Kings: Keegan Murray, Davion Mitchell, Monk, Fox

Knicks: R.J. Barrett, Brunson, Josh Hart, Grimes, Sims, DiVincenzo, Mitchell Robinson, Jericho Sim, McBride, Isaiah Hartenstein

Lakers: Anthony Davis, DLO, Hachimura, Christian Wood, Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, Jalen Hood, Jaxson Hayes

Magic: Ranchero, Cole Anthony, Fultz, Suggs, Jett

Mavericks: Kyrie, Tim Hardaway Jr, Seth Curry, Jaden Hardy, Josh Green, AJ Lawson

Nets: Bridges, Cam Johnson, Ben Simmons, Cam Thomas, Lonnie Walker, Watford, Dinwiddie, Claxton, Finney-Smith

Nuggets: MPJ, Jamal Murray

Pacers: Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Mathurin, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin

Pelicans: Zion, Ingram, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy lll, Jordan Hawkins, Jose Alvarado

Pistons: Jaden Ivey, Duren, Wiseman, Bagley, Marcus Sasser, Killian Hayes, Monte Morris, Ausar

Raptors: Siakam, Barnes, Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Schroder, Poeltl, Boucher, Markquis Nowell, Malachi Flynn

Rockets: Cam Whitmore, Fred Vanfleet, Aaron Holiday, Jabari Smith, Amen, Sengun

Spurs: Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, Sockan, Devonte Graham, Vassell

Suns: Unless they can acquire KD or Beal from the Suns it would not be worth the time negotiating

OKC: Giddey, Lu Dort, Micic, Tre Mann, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Joe, Pokusevski,

Timberwolves: Alexander-Walker, Jaden Mcdaniels,

Blazers: Kris Murray, Shadeon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Brogdon, Thybulle

Jonathan Kuminga, Wiggins, cp3, Klay or Draymond as vet leaders

Wizards: I only found complimentary players on the Wizards; Tyus Jones, Daniel Gafford.

Is trading Jimmy Butler Miami’s only option left? Probably not, but it is definitely a factor that needs to be considered as the Miami Heat on court play matching the quality of their current roster.