NBA Trades: Proposal has Miami Heat becoming contenders with James Harden

NBA Trades: The Miami Heat reenter contenders status with James Harden in proposed deal. 

It’s been a rough offseason for the Miami Heat, and that’s putting it lightly. Miami had the opportunity to drastically improve their roster not once, but twice this summer via trade. On both occasions, first for Bradley Beal and then Damian Lillard most recently, the Heat fell short.

To add injury to insult, Miami’s two major Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, made big moves to drastically improve their rosters themselves. That leaves the Heat in a difficult situation heading into the start of the season.

But there is one other disgruntled start whose situation remains unsettled – James Harden. Would the Heat pursue a deal for Harden remains to be seen, though there is some doubt. That said, there could be a path to an agreement for the two teams.

When discussing the trade market, or the lack of one, that revolves around Harden, NBA insider Chris Mannix proposed a hypothetical idea in which the Sixers trade their disgruntled All-Star guard to Miami in exchange for Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick.

A James Harden trade that could make sense for the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers

However, to make the money work, the Heat would have to throw in another contract or the two sides could negotiate to get to a deal that resembles something similar to this:

The Sixers would get Harden off their team, add a quality veteran point guard in Kyle Lowry, and a future first-round draft pick. They’d also get one of the best 3-point shooters in the league that could be helpful this season in Duncan Robinson.

Miami would get a one-year rental of Harden and P.J. Tucker who embodies Heat culture.

The question is, would this be something the Heat would entertain? Is this something they should entertain? We break it all down.