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After a thrilling seven-game series where they came up short against the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat are hard pressed on making another deep run in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Having fought tooth and nail with the C's and having battled through several injuries to keep their season alive, the Heat will look to make some quality additions in the offseason.
A couple key areas of weakness that the Heat must address during the 2022 NBA offseason are size and consistency on the scoring front. Their lack of depth at center and inability to consistently knock down big shots throughout the series were exposed in their last few games against the Celtics.
In spite of all these shortcomings, the Heat still took the Celtics seven games and came within one basket of advancing to the 2022 NBA Finals. With all this going for Miami, we'll now discuss five trades they must make this summer after their heartbreaking loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Players Heat must trade for in 2022 NBA offseason
5. Bojan Bogdanovic
With the Utah Jazz enduring another early playoff exit in 2022, seasoned veteran Bojan Bogdanovic could be seeking a change of scenery. His lights out 3-point shooting and gritty perimeter defense would be a perfect fit with the Heat. Miami does possess plenty of reliable shooters with Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, P.J. Tucker, and Victor Oladipo in the mix. However, they were all very streaky during the Heat's third round match-up with the Celtics.
All throughout his career in the NBA, Bogdanovic has had a knack for hitting big shots, and on the Heat he would add an exciting new element to their offense. His scoring and playmaking would prove to be highly beneficial for the Heat come playoff time. So if they want to return to the NBA Finals in 2023, then the addition of a battle-tested vet like Bogdanovic would be a smart move for them to make in the offseason.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
This move might be a long shot for the Heat, but if there's one thing we've learned in the past, it's that Pat Riley is a man who can pull off the impossible and get big deals done. In Miami, Karl-Anthony Towns would solve the Heat's biggest flaw on offense and give them a more complete scoring attack.
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He has been known to be a defensive liability, but under the guidance of Erik Spoelstra and the Heat coaching staff, KAT could become a well-rounded two-way big. Towns would be also able to elevate the Heat's post-game and 3-point shooting. If the Heat can pry Towns away from the Minnesota Timberwolves without having to give up too much, then this trade would be an absolute game changer for them.
3. Deandre Ayton
As a player who's been in constant trade rumors of late, Deandre Ayton would be another franchise altering move for the Heat to make. Considering that Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are still far apart in contract negotiations, this could be a prime opportunity for Miami to pounce and make a play for him.
This might also be tough trade for the Heat to pull off, but it would give them a promising young center to work with who'd undoubtedly improve their play on both ends of the floor. Ayton would be able to provide them with reliable rebounding, rim protection, and scoring in the paint that they've been sorely lacking ever since trading away Hassan Whiteside.
2. Anthony Davis
Coming off a few injury-plagued seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Anthony Davis may have better luck with a new team. The Lakers are highly unlikely to part ways with Davis, but for the right price the Heat could probably make them an offer worth their while. Miami's top-notch training staff and demanding conditioning program could put Davis back on track and have him playing at his level best in no time.
As one of the most skilled two-way big men in the NBA, The Unibrow may find even more success playing for a well-run championship organization like the Heat. Still just 29 years old, Davis would be rejuvenated playing in Miami and be able to finish out his career competing for NBA championships each year.
1. Donovan Mitchell
Currently contemplating his future with Utah, Donovan Mitchell is another star that may be on his way out of town. After underachieving with the Jazz once again during the 2022 NBA Playoffs, Mitchell is a young star that could be better off playing in a bigger market. His dynamic offensive game is exactly what the Heat need come playoff time. This would also take the load off of Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry to constantly produce on that end.
Mitchell is the type of player who can take over the game and light up the scoreboard on a regular basis. Which is something that the Heat are in dire need of at the moment. Mitchell would also be a new and improved defender playing in Miami. This would also give the Heat their star of the future and someone to pass the torch to after Butler retires. Plus Mitchell has previously expressed his desire to play for the Heat and is mentored by franchise legend Dwayne Wade. So this could wind up being a match made in heaven after all.
