The Miami Heat have had a very simple offseason, with the only acquisition of note being Alec Burks from free agency to add guard depth to the roster. The Heat can't realistically contend if they run the same roster back once again, even with a healthy Jimmy Butler this season. They need to make win-now additions this summer to address the multiple issues with their roster which could help them keep pace with teams like the Knicks, 76ers, and Celtics.
The Heat made a risky move for Terry Rozier last winter. Though he's been able to give solid production, he and Tyler Herro seem to be a redundant pairing with their score-first mindset. The team also has threadbare forward depth behind Butler, needing to rely on multiple depth players for chunks of the season, which has caused them to be a play-in team for the last two seasons. They could make on big trade to help climb out of that purgatory in 2024-25.
Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Cameron Johnson, Dennis Schroder, Day'Ron Sharpe
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, 2029 First-Round Pick (MI
The Heat acquire a versatile forward like Johnson who could seamlessly fit alongside Bam Adebayo and Butler or in place of Butler if he's struggling with his health. He'd be a flawless fit on offense, playing a low-maintenance shooting role with occasional on-ball touches. Schroder would be a natural fit at point guard with his defensive and distribution abilities while Sharpe could be a fantastic backup center.
The Heat Add Value In Three Important Positions
The Heat can't keep relying on developing undrafted players into rotational players for a season or two just for them to leave them and go elsewhere. They need NBA-caliber players occupying their key rotational spots instead of finding diamonds in the rough they can extract maximum value out of. This deal would bring them three proven rotation players who could make an instant impact on the franchise and play in ways that would complement the Heat perfectly.
Johnson averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists last season. He can play either forward position and has proven to be a malleable starter in the NBA who plays his role to the highest level. The Heat have their on-ball stars already, with Johnson being the perfect option to alleviate pressure off them while being low-maintenance with his touches. Sharpe averaged 6.8 points and 6.4 rebounds last season and would be a better option than Thomas Bryant as the Heat's backup center.
Schroder could be a dicey acquisition given how he fell out with the Raptors last season, but it's clear the guard just wants to be in a winning situation. His defensive tenacity and ability to distribute and score will make him a solid guard option, though he won't bring the same offensive production as Rozier. But with all the scoring options and Tyler Herro on the roster, Schroder playing this role to his best abilities would be fruitful for both team and player. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.1 assists.
The Nets Continue Their Teardown Ahead Of A Tanking Season
The Nets made as open a declaration to tank this season as any team has in years, with Brooklyn giving up picks from the Kevin Durant trade with the Suns to reacquire the picks they sent to the Rockets as part of their James Harden acquisition in 2021. This includes their 2025 Draft pick, guaranteeing the team bottoms out in hopes of a player like Cooper Flagg joining the franchise. They don't have much use for win-now veterans like Schroder or Johnson and should move on from them.
Terry Rozier averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists last season for the Hornets and the Heat, proving to be valuable as a scoring point guard. His two-year deal would lineup perfectly for the Nets to take a stab at the 2026 Free Agency class, as they project to have almost a clean roster bill outside of Nicolas Claxton two seasons from now. Duncan Robinson is also on contract for two more seasons, averaging 12.9 points on 39.5% from three last season.
Rozier would be a solid tank commander for the Nets and mentor for Cam Thomas while Robinson can rediscover his value as a shooter playing for a Nets team with low expectations. They could realistically flip both players next season on expiring contracts for solid value if they can put their talents on display in what's going to be a down year for the Nets.
One of the main returning assets in this deal is Nikola Jovic, the Serbian forward who has been touted as a high-potential prospect who averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.
The Heat Do Their Best To Compete In What Could Be Jimmy Butler's Final Season
Everyone knows that contract extension talks regarding Jimmy Butler and the Heat will be a massive talking point this season, as the forward is currently expected to hit free agency. The Nets are reportedly interested in signing him next summer as well, so this deal would help take them out of the race given the additional salary they acquire. That justified the cost of a pick and a young player for what are three solid rotational players without an All-Star candidate.
Sharpe would shore up the backline and give Adebayo the latitude to play more power forward minutes this season, while Cam Johnson can play across positions based on what the Heat need given their health situations over the season. Schroder is hated by many fans but his ability as a guard defender and serviceable NBA point guard is unquestionable, with his specific skill-set giving him an opportunity to shine in Miami.
The Nets acquire two distressed assets they could shine into being diamonds for teams to try and acquire next season while moving off a three-year commitment to Johnson. Jovic could end up being a legitimate franchise cornerstone, given he has the chance to develop the finer aspects of his game in Brooklyn.
