Miami Heat: A trade for John Collins may be last chance to save the blueprint

With the Miami Heat in need of a change, we explore why acquiring John Collins could be the team’s last chance at saving the blueprint. 

The Miami Heat has won 13 of their last 19 games. Objectively, they’ve played better over the last few weeks. They’ve even inched their way to a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Considering where this team was just a few weeks ago, these are positive signs heading into the push toward the playoffs.

However, all that said, let’s not get anything twisted. Despite the improved play from the Heat over the last month or so, this team is far from a championship contender right now. They remain a huge gap between them and the likes of the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the East. And I’m not sure how they can make up so much ground between now and the start of the playoffs.

But heading into the NBA Trade Deadline, the Heat will have an opportunity to attempt to improve their roster. And if they want to have any level of hope heading into the playoffs, they better make a move over the next couple of weeks.

What move at the NBA Trade Deadline could help salvage the season?

And as the trade deadline approaches, the Heat is in an interesting spot. Assuming they don’t plan on rebuilding, this is a team that must retool on the fly. But that could be difficult considering their limited trade assets and the fact that their cap sheet is loaded.

In short, the Heat are in no man’s land and it’s difficult to see an easy way at improving the roster that doesn’t involve a small move.

That said, there is one possible move that would give the Heat at least a shot at salvaging the blueprint. And that includes trading for John Collins.

Listen, I know why Collins may not be an ideal target. He’s on a huge target and he’s drastically underperformed over the last two seasons in Atlanta. However, on the other hand, he’s the exact type of star reclamation project that the Heat could take advantage of.

Many have questioned Collins’ effort and the intensity he plays with. Is that something that the Heat could get out of Collins? You’d have to believe so. Aside from that, you question whether Collins has enough talent to warrant his big contract. And the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Collins is still just 25 years old and has proven that he can be a very good player. During his third season in the league, he averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds on 58 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range.

If the Heat believes they can channel that once again in Collins’ game, there’s no question they should be at least somewhat interested heading into the deadline.

At this point, the Heat should be looking for high-risk, high-reward-type o moves with their limited assets. And John Collins may be the best of those options that would seem feasible for the team at the trade deadline.