MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat dribbles up the court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at FTX Arena on March 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat: Bring back Victor Oladipo
At the NBA Trade Deadline in March of 2021, the Miami Heat made a curious move. They sent versatile stretch-big Kelly Olynyk, who had been a key part of their run to the NBA Finals in 2020, along with Avery Bradley and a first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo, despite being flush with backcourt players and the NBA world being fully aware of Oladipo’s injury issues.
That second point struck immediately, as Oladipo appeared in just four games before going down with a long-term injury. He was rehabbing for the vast majority of this past season as well and only made an appearance in eight games total before the playoffs started.
Then the playoffs began, and suddenly, Oladipo was a key part of the rotation. He played in 15 games and averaged 24.5 minutes per game. He was their best bench shot-maker as Tyler Herro struggled at times and also fought an injury. Along with his fearless scoring, he proved himself a solid defender that the Heat could deploy on anyone from Tyrese Maxey to Jayson Tatum, fast guard or skilled forward.
Because the Heat acquired Oladipo via trade and re-signed him on a one-year minimum deal, they have retained his Bird Rights. That means they can offer him a contract for as much money as they like, up to the maximum, even without cap space. It was a shrewd bit of strategy from the front office and gives them plenty of leverage in contract negotiations this summer.
Moving forward, Oladipo proved himself healthy and able to contribute at a high level. He could start at the two or come off the bench as a backup three, which he played much of the postseason.
He gives them two-way versatility that the rest of their role players don’t have, and a deal larger than the midlevel, but well under $20 million per season, seems right for the former All-NBA guard.
Miami Heat were <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10037202-heats-jimmy-butler-my-thought-process-was-go-for-the-win-on-missed-3-vs-celtics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Jimmy Butler three-pointer</a> away from the NBA Finals.</p>
<p>Let that sentence sink in. The rest of the Eastern Conference is looking in the mirror and asking itself difficult questions, or (in the case of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/">Boston Celtics) preparing to play in the NBA Finals. The Heat fell short, but it was <em>just</em> short; Butler and company made it to the very edge of the Finals despite multiple injuries to key players.</p>
<p>They fought the Celtics at every turn, with huge defensive performances and some insane games from Butler, who transforms into a Top-5 player in the league when the playoffs roll around. The Heat are likely upset that they lost, but they don’t need to be ashamed of where they finished.</p>
<h2>The Miami Heat were a shot away from the NBA Finals. What moves can they make to stay strong and compete for a conference crown next season?</h2>
<p>That makes this offseason about building on something successful, not tearing something down or swapping out major pieces. Their entire starting lineup and all eight of their most-used players this season (in terms of total minutes played) are under contract for next season. There are no crises in South Beach.</p>
<p>Yet they did ultimately fall short of the Finals, and of the shot at a title it would have provided. They do need to be proactive this summer to set themselves up to be as good or better than they were this season, as the Eastern Conference will likely only get better. Here are three moves the Heat should make this offseason to stay strong and make another run at the title.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Move #1 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-444117 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1383120808.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1383120808.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1383120808-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 07: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat dribbles up the court against the Houston Rockets during the second half at FTX Arena on March 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat: Bring back Victor Oladipo</h2>
<p>At the NBA Trade Deadline in March of 2021, the Miami Heat made a curious move. They sent versatile stretch-big Kelly Olynyk, who had been a key part of their run to the NBA Finals in 2020, along with Avery Bradley and a first-round pick to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/houston-rockets/">Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo, despite being flush with backcourt players and the NBA world being fully aware of Oladipo’s injury issues.</p>
<p>That second point struck immediately, as Oladipo appeared in just four games before going down with a long-term injury. He was rehabbing for the vast majority of this past season as well and only made an appearance in eight games total before the playoffs started.</p>
<p>Then the playoffs began, and suddenly, Oladipo was a key part of the rotation. He played in 15 games and averaged 24.5 minutes per game. He was their best bench shot-maker as Tyler Herro struggled at times and also fought an injury. Along with his fearless scoring, he proved himself a solid defender that the Heat could deploy on anyone from Tyrese Maxey to Jayson Tatum, fast guard or skilled forward.</p>
<p>Because the Heat acquired Oladipo via trade and re-signed him on a one-year minimum deal, they have retained his Bird Rights. That means they can offer him a contract for as much money as they like, up to the maximum, even without cap space. It was a shrewd bit of strategy from the front office and gives them plenty of leverage in contract negotiations this summer.</p>
<p>Moving forward, Oladipo proved himself healthy and able to contribute at a high level. He could start at the two or come off the bench as a backup three, which he played much of the postseason.</p>
<p>He gives them two-way versatility that the rest of their role players don’t have, and a deal larger than the midlevel, but well under $20 million per season, seems right for the former All-NBA guard.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Move #2 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-445469 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1393045837.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1393045837.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1393045837-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">ATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 22: Duncan Robinson #55 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the second quarter in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round at State Farm Arena on April 22, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat: Trade Duncan Robinson</h2>
<p>Victor Oladipo played 368 minutes this postseason; Max Strus played 523. Duncan Robinson logged just 159, shoved to third in the shooting guard pecking order for the Miami Heat. It’s quite the development after Robinson signed a five-year, $90 million deal this past summer.</p>
<p>On most teams, Robinson’s knockdown shooting and ability to run off screens would make him a no-doubt rotation player – three-point shooting at volume is that valuable. Yet, the Heat found a player in Max Strus who can shoot nearly as well and is lightyears better than Robinson defensively. That has made Robinson expendable.</p>
<p>Having a bench gunner on hand to fill up regular-season minutes and occasionally deploy in the postseason is a nice luxury, but paying Robinson $16.9 million next season to play occasionally is poor team-building. The Heat need to make better use of his salary slot, and that means trading him.</p>
<p>Perhaps a team with cap space could take him in (Detroit?) or more likely teams can send a forward-sized player back who can back up PJ Tucker and Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt.</p>
<p>Could the Heat get the Sacramento Kings interested in a Harrison Barnes – Robinson swap? What about the Utah Jazz and Bojan Bogdanovic? The Cleveland Cavaliers and Lauri Markkanen? Miami likely has to include draft capital for many of those trades, but it’s a move worth making for a team all-in on the present.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Move #3 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-445468" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/31/moves-miami-heat-strong/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1398478560.jpeg" alt="Miami Heat" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1398478560.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1398478560-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 19: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat reacts against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat: Wait on Tyler Herro extension</h2>
<p>Tyler Herro won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award this season, averaging 20.7 points and leading the team in total minutes played despite starting just 10 games. He was the epitome of a microwave scorer and on a team that didn’t have an electric shotmaker at any other position. The Heat needed Herro.</p>
<p>The difficulty with Herro, and the reason he comes off the bench, is that he is a terrible defensive player. His athleticism and speed allow him to make some highlight plays every now and then, but generally, he is a sieve that opponents target again and again. The Miami Heat start five solid (or better) defenders in setting their identity; Herro is a crack in the armor.</p>
<p>This summer, he will be eligible for a rookie extension that would kick in after next season. The problem with extending Herro now is that he is coming off a career and award-winning year and will command a large salary. For a player who had a breakout rookie season before regressing, somewhat, last year, waiting until Herro hits restricted free agency next summer lets them test him this upcoming year.</p>
<p>Does Herro regress again, or can he build on his gains this season? Is his incredible shot-making going to wax and wane, or is it a consistent tool in his arsenal? Perhaps most importantly, can he focus on his defense and improve enough for Miami to rely on him in big-pressure situations?</p>
<p>Being patient gives them an entire season’s worth of extra data to use in negotiating his next contract.</p>
<p>The Heat have a versatile team and the best player development system in the league, which gives them a leg up on making changes on the margins. If they bring back Oladipo, trade Robinson and are patient with Herro’s contract, they can balance the present and future while going for another trip to the NBA Finals next year.</p>
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