The Miami Heat were a title contender before the 2019-20 season got suspended due to COVID-19. Behind the stellar play of All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami had a record of 41-24. The Heat were in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Butler holds people to a higher standard than they hold themselves and that's why he fits in with the Heat organization perfectly. Jimmy was putting up 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists for Miami before COVID-19 forced the NBA to suspend play. Adebayo was averaging 16.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Bam and Butler formed one of the deadliest dynamic duos in the league.
In typical Pat Riley fashion, though, the Hall of Famer pulled the trigger on a deal that brought former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala down to South Beach even when the Heat were already elite. Riley, the Heat's president, was also able to acquire Jae Crowder in the same deal.
The Heat now have Butler, Iguodala, Crowder, and Derrick Jones Jr. as their wing defenders. Rookie guards Kendrick Nunn and Tyler Herro have been manning the backcourt with veteran Goran Dragic while Duncan Robinson has established himself as one of the best 3-point shooters in the game.
The Heat can score from all three levels of the court. They were averaging 112.2 points per game as a team, good for 15th in the NBA. They were also 11th in opponent points per game.
If the season resumes, Miami will be one of the front runners to win the East. Should the season get canceled, though, here are some moves Riley can think about making whenever the 2020 free agency period begins.
3. Re-sign Derrick Jones Jr.
The high-flyer becomes an unrestricted free agent and the Heat should bring him back. Jones was putting up 8.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists this season in 24.5 minutes per night. He's still very raw on offense, but the Heat are the perfect organization to develop Jones' skills on both ends of the floor.
Miami is probably the best team in the NBA at developing talent and helping players sustain success over a long period.
Jones was making $1.6 million this season. He has career averages of 6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds.
2. Re-sign Jae Crowder
Crowder told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald shortly after being acquired by the Heat that he's always wanted to play for the franchise. Jae is from Atlanta and used to dream about living in Miami.
In 13 games with the Heat before the season got suspended, Crowder averaged 11.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He shot 39.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Crowder becomes an unrestricted free agent whenever the 2020 free agency period begins. The Marquette product fits what the Heat are all about, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the two sides come to an agreement in free agency.
1. Call Washington and make everyone available for Bradley Beal except for Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo
Riley had been enamored with Butler for years and he was going to do whatever it took to get the All-Star forward to Miami.
Now, the champion and NBA icon has to have that same mentality with Wizards superstar shooting guard Bradley Beal.
Beal has been linked to the Heat for the past few seasons now. He signed a lucrative two-year extension with the Wizards before the 2019-20 season started and is guaranteed $130 million over four seasons. Beal's new deal contains a player option for the 2022-2023 season.
Riley needs to call the Wizards and say, “Everyone on the roster is available for Beal except for Butler and Adebayo.” The Heat will probably have to part ways with Herro and whatever picks and future picks they have to acquire a star like Beal.
Follow Us
Subscribe