This Heat-Spurs trade features Rudy Gay to Miami

Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs, NBA Rumors
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat Receive: F Rudy Gay, SA 2023 2nd Round Pick 

San Antonio Spurs Receive: F/C Kelly Olynyk, F K.Z. Okpala

With Rudy Gay being owed $14M this season, the Miami Heat would have to cut ties with either Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala or Kelly Olynyk to balance out the salaries in this trade scenario. Since Olynyk is in the final year of his contract and since the Spurs could use some more help in their frontcourt, Olynyk seems like he could be the player the Heat look to leverage for Rudy Gay. 

Kelly Olynyk is in his fourth season with the Miami Heat and with Miami, he has been a very steady frontcourt player for them. He is averaging 9.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and shooting 31.6% from three-point range this season, making him a consistent and reliable big man. 

For his career, Olynyk has shot 36.6% from three-point range and could be a great pick-and-roll threat for San Antonio. They mainly play though their guards and wings anyways, so they do not really need a standout big man. 

The addition of Rudy Gay not only gives Miami another consistent option on the wing, but it gives them a veteran leader who is more than capable of playing 20+ minutes per game and leading Miami’s second-unit. With 6 players averaging 10+ points per game this season, the Heat definitely have offensive weapons to be a championship contender once again, but they need to improve their overall depth given all of the injuries they have had. 

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Jae Crowder, even though the numbers may not say it, was a huge part of the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA Finals last season and without him, there seems to be a void at the forward position for the Heat. They have had to play small at times with Jimmy Butler playing the power-forward position, which is why they need Rudy Gay. 

The addition of Gay opens up the Heat’s offense a little more and allows Butler and Bam to do what they do best offensively. With that said, let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. 

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