The Miami Heat lost what Jae Crowder brought to them in four bubble games last year – strong defense and some three-point shots. Kelly Olynyk just did not fill those shoes, which made Miami seek help from the four who are approaching the negotiation deadline.
Could Miami negotiate with LaMarcus Aldridge?
Aldridge is no longer with the Spurs and the team is looking for an exchange. The Heat is at least kicking the tires in a deal, reports Anthony Chiang and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
And the Miami Heat is among the teams that spoke to the Spurs about an Aldridge swap, according to a league source.
It seems unlikely that an Aldridge exchange in Miami will meet for two reasons.
First, Aldridge is not really an upgrade over Olynyk at this point in his career. Although there was a time that Aldridge may have been the best striker in the game – for example, in 2015, when the Heat chased him as a free agent – but at this point in his career he does not have much lateral mobility, which makes him a target when defending. On the other side of the court, he can shoot all three (36% this season) and set good choices, but he is not dramatically better at this point than Olynyk.
The second reason is that Aldridge earns $ 24 million this season. Although the good news is that it is an expiring contract – it would not clog Miami books in future seasons – the challenge is that the Heat has to send $ 19 million or more in player salaries to San Antonio to match. Also, is Miami going to send the Spurs a young player of value to rent Aldridge?
How about veteran Andre Iguodala, who is making $ 15 million this season? It would seem unlikely that Miami would include him in a deal with Aldridge because Iguodala is the small ball striker that coach Erik Spoelstra relies on to play at the end of the games, and Aldridge would not be able to fill that gap as yet another great traditional.
It would also be surprising if the Heat included any of its active youngsters, like Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, Duncan Robinson or Kendrick Nunn in a possible deal for Aldridge.
San Antonio is looking for an exchange, but probably Aldridge ends up being bought by Spurs. If Miami can sign Aldridge with a minimum veteran contract as a free agent, it makes sense to roll the dice. But an exchange seems unlikely.