The Miami Heat have been one of the NBA's overachieving squads this season. After acquiring Jimmy Butler in free agency this past July, the Heat were expected to contend for a playoff spot, but nobody foresaw their emergence as a legit contender in the East. Miami owns the league's fourth-best record at 28-12, which also has them as the second seed in the conference.
The team from South Beach may not boast a roster comprised of household names, but they are flushed with young talent. Rookies Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn were instantly thrust into the rotation from the very beginning, and both have certainly made the most of their opportunity to contribute out of the gate. Herro, the former University of Kentucky standout, is averaging 13.4 points on 38.5% shooting from beyond the arc, while Nunn has started every game this season and thus is tallying slightly superior numbers (15.9 points and 3.6 assists on 45.7% from the field).
Another youngster who has impressed in 2019-20 is Bam Adebayo. Thanks to no longer having to play behind Hassan Whiteside, Adebayo was handed the starting center spot, and he has thrived as Miami's man in the middle. Bam is one of the most versatile bigs in the game, averaging 15.8 points, 10.4 boards, and 4.6 dimes in 34.4 minutes of action.
Despite Adebayo's rebounding prowess, the team has not been able to pull down boards collectively on a consistent basis. The Heat are 28th in offensive rebounds grabbed per game (8.9), and they give up just as many second-chance points as the perpetually dysfunctional New York Knicks (12.9). While they rank in the middle of the pack when it comes to total rebounds (45.5,16th most), their inability to keep opposing bigs off the glass will come back to bite them come playoff time, meaning Miami should consider making a trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson.
Thompson, a nine-year veteran from the University of Texas, is amidst a career year, putting up career highs in both points (12.8) and rebounds (10.5), which has him averaging a double-double for the second time as a pro. Thompson's 4.2 offensive rebounds that he is snatching on a nightly basis is nearly half of the Heat's total as a team (8.8 offensive rebounds per game). Miami is dead last in the NBA in shot attempts at just 84 per game. Thompson's presence on the court would allow for this number to rise, as his rebounding aptitude can provide them with extra possessions — each and every one matter in the postseason. They can often times decide the winner and loser in a closely knotted affair.
To better equip themselves for a deep run in the Eastern Conference playoffs this spring, Coach Eric Spoelstra's group would be wise to do all in their power to land an elite glass eater such as Thompson.
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