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

Should the Miami Heat explore this specific deal?

Let’s dig into this deal a bit more from the Miami Heat’s perspective. We’re not talking from a basketball perspective just yet. From a theoretical standpoint, would the Heat be willing to explore such a deal? Let’s start with the personnel that Miami would have to part ways with to make this work. First, I think it’s become pretty evident that Kyle Lowry’s role with the Heat has diminished. At this point, it would not be a huge surprise if Lowry was traded at some point this season.

The big question is whether the Heat would want to part ways with Duncan Robinson. And I don’t think it’s as simple as some believe. Basically, Miami could look at it this way, they’d essentially be attaching a future draft pick to Robinson’s contract in order to get out from under it. Even if the Heat would acquire Harden, I have a hard time believing it’ll come with a contract extension.

This deal would essentially be this: one year of Harden and P.J. Tucker for an expiring contract, Robinson, and a future draft pick.

That’s the way the Heat would need to look at this trade. Quite frankly, if they want to factor in the Eastern Conference at all, it’s something Miami would at least have to consider.