The Miami Heat are once again aiming high this offseason, looking to acquire players who can lead them to a championship.
Much of the discussion surrounding the Heat’s offseason plans has revolved around the potential trade of Jimmy Butler, who has guided the team to three Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals appearances in the past five years.
However, Bill Simmons of The Ringer recently suggested a trade that would allow the Heat to retain Butler and big man Bam Adebayo while acquiring an elite offensive point guard from the Atlanta Hawks.
“Trae [Young] for [Tyler] Herro and [Duncan] Robinson and Miami’s pick in the [2024] draft — they’ll have to draft a guy and trade him — and then their [2029] unprotected first,” Simmons proposed on “The Bill Simmons Podcast” on June 10. “And then, if you’re Miami, you keep Butler, you have Bam. Trae fits Heat culture — he’s a warrior. If you watch him in the playoffs a couple years ago, he’s unafraid. He’s a Heat kind of guy. He’s highly competitive.”
Hawks Likely to Put Trae Young or Dejounte Murray on Trade Block This Summer
The Hawks, who hold the No. 1 overall pick in this week’s draft, have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the past two years after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2020-21 season.
Despite trading with the San Antonio Spurs for Dejounte Murray in June 2022, the move hasn’t yielded the desired results for the Hawks. Consequently, several analysts believe Atlanta might consider a reset this offseason, potentially trading either Young or Murray.
Murray is on a favorable contract of four years and $114 million, which runs through the 2026-27 season with a player option for the following year. Young, on the other hand, is on a five-year, $215 million deal that keeps him under contract for two more seasons, with a player option in 2026-27.
Trae Young Can Provide Heat With Elite Offense, Playmaking
Considering the cost and logistics, Young is the more likely trade candidate from the Hawks’ perspective. For the Heat, acquiring Young would bring significant playmaking and scoring prowess, enhancing their offensive capabilities.
Young has earned three All-Star selections, including one last season, with career averages of 25.5 points, 9.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1 steal per game, according to Basketball Reference. He has twice averaged over 28 points per game and boasts a career 3-point percentage of 43.6%, making him a potent offensive threat for the Heat.
Tyler Herro has averaged 18.1 points per game on 38.5% shooting from deep and is known as a dangerous, though streaky, shooter. Meanwhile, Duncan Robinson signed a five-year, $90 million deal in August 2021, but his performance has been inconsistent. His 3-point percentage and minutes per game dipped significantly following the signing, hitting career lows (excluding his rookie year) of 32.8% from deep and 16.5 minutes per game two years ago. Robinson rebounded last season, averaging 39.5% from beyond the arc and 28 minutes of playing time, though the Heat were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
To retain Butler and remain competitive in the Eastern Conference next season, the Heat may need to trade for a high-impact player — and Trae Young could be the best option.
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