MIAMI — It could be as simple as the path many on the roster took to the NBA: one and done.
Already having made a major move with the acquisition of Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat well could wind up as spectators at Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trading deadline.
But that doesn’t mean there at least hasn’t been a degree of window shopping, with the Heat hardly offering a compelling case in recent weeks of a team with a clear path to something better.
So if something beyond Rozier, then what?
A look at some possibilities could work from both common-sense and dollars-and-cents perspectives for Pat Riley, Andy Elisburg at the Heat front office:
Kelly Olynyk: There is much that would make sense here for the Heat, including pre-existing chemistry with Bam Adebayo. And the $12.2 million salary on an expiring contract seemingly also would fit into the Heat wheelhouse.
Something along the lines of Caleb Martin and Orlando Robinson could work, but that doesn’t necessarily fit into the direction the Jazz would prefer without finding a third team in such a deal.
Further, it is a move that would add back to the Heat’s immediate luxury-tax bill.
And when it comes to draft capital, the Heat have little to sway Danny Ainge (unless Jazz part-owner Dwyane Wade can do that swaying).
Kyle Kuzma: The long-term money normally could be viewed as a luxury-tax concern, with Kumza under contract through 2026-27, earning $25.6 million this season. But with a contract that descends in annual value, it is an attractive deal.
The ability to add length could tempt the Heat to move off Tyler Herro. But that doesn’t appear enough to sate the Wizards, who already have Jordan Poole in a Herro-type role.
Davion Mitchell: Shuffled out of the mix with the Kings, the rookie-scale deal that pays $5.1 million this season would slot in nicely, as would what Mitchell could offer defensively in a backcourt lacking much defensively.
But there also is the issue of whether Mitchell’s lack of shooting would stand as too much of a detriment in a playoff setting.
The question is would it be at the cost of Caleb Martin or something less essential to the Heat mix? Mitchell is available, but that doesn’t mean the Heat’s assets are tempting enough.
Still, the Heat do enjoy a project, particularly one at a nominal salary cost.
Dennis Smith: The defensive chops at point guard combined with the minimum salary make this an attractive option on dual counts. But the Heat cupboard is almost bare when it comes to draft assets. Unless there is some sort of Orlando Robinson or Thomas Bryant lust, the Nets would appear to have better options elsewhere (but Brooklyn gladly would deal Spencer Dinwiddie).
Again, shooting, and the lack thereof, is the issue here.
Delon Wright: The Heat have been known to keep it in the family, with Dorell Wright’s brother a competent two-way reserve player, as insurance at point guard.
At $8.2 million on an expiring contract, a deal could be made. But with Josh Richardson having come around, the Heat seemingly already have a similar answer at a lower price tag.
Gabe Vincent: Don’t see it considering he is on the contract the Heat declined to offer last summer in free agency.
P.J. Tucker: Buyout market? Possibly? Trade market? Highly unlikely, since, like Vincent, he is on a contract that Heat declined to offer when Tucker hit free agency.
The field: Among others linked to the Heat by purveyors of such speculation have been Dejounte Murray (with the Rozier deal likely closing that door), DeMar DeRozan (which comes off as too big a move at the moment, if the commitment to Herro is true), Bruce Brown (the essence of a Heat player, but not necessarily at the preferable price tag), Dorian Finney-Smith (although at some point there has to be more than 3-and-D), Malcolm Brogdon (“Hello, Blazers?” Click.), Tyus Jones (but, hey, Jimmy Butler is the point guard now) and Gordon Hayward (who already has full residence in Heat rumor-ville).
Waiting game: Or else the Heat can wait out the trade market then seize, if inclined, on the buyout market, eligible at their current luxury-tax tier to sign any released player earning $12.4 million (the league average) or less. Players on the buyout market must be waived by their current team by March 1 to be playoff eligible.
