The Miami Heat are a team that is always looking for ways to upgrade their roster in the NBA offseason. Pat Riley has made sure that winning is the No. 1 goal for everyone in the organization and that they are all on the same page.
Sometimes, that requires some difficult decisions to be made. Players that fans love could be moved if it means putting the team in a better position to win games. This offseason, that could be the case as rumors have swirled that the Heat could look to make a splash.
Could that splash move be bringing on James Harden? Miami was named the surprising landing spot for Harden this offseason in a piece over at Bleacher Report. Given their penchant for landing star players, it is certainly something that shouldn’t be ruled out, especially given how things have gone thus far with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden has not looked like the former MVP that Daryl Morey was hoping would help put Philadelphia over the hump as a contender. That hasn’t been the case, as Harden has looked sluggish at times with his shooting percentage still leaving a lot to be desired.
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Back when James Harden requested a trade from the Houston Rockets, the Miami Heat were one of the three teams mentioned as a landing spot. He has already played for the other two, maybe the third time’s the charm for him.
It is very unlikely that Harden will leave Philadelphia at this point, as they can offer him more money than any other team should he opt out of his contract and decline his player option for the 2022-23 season. But, you can never say never when it comes to free agency in the NBA.
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If the 76ers get squeamish about paying James Harden a super-max for what looks like declining skills, they could engage teams in a sign-and-trade.
For Miami, it certainly wouldn’t be cheap. The contracts of Kyle Lowry and Duncan Robinson would need to be included. Looking for a sweetener in the deal, the Sixers could also ask for Tyler Herro to be included in the deal.
Parting ways with that much depth would be hard to fathom, but the Heat have shown that they can develop players into rotation pieces regardless of their pedigree. Right now they have two players in their starting lineup that weren’t even drafted in Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.
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Even with their impressive track record, it would be hard to imagine the Miami Heat parting ways with that much. If they can make a deal, not including Tyler Herro, something could likely be worked out. But, his inclusion should be when the Heat walks away from the negotiating table.
