Heat is exploring the market for a power forward
Atlanta’s John Collins. Heavy.com’s Sean Devaney ,a longtime NBA writer, reported this week that the Heat would be receptive to dealing Robinson (who has 3 1⁄2 years on his fiveyear, $90 million deal), Martin (in the first year of a three-year, $20.5 million deal) and a protected first for the Atlanta power forward.
But ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi said: “Starting next year, he’s still owed another $25 million a year, essentially $75 million over the next three years. I think that’s been a hindrance in the trade market. There are some teams, such as Utah, that would like a draft pick with Collins to offset that money. Landry Fields, the new general manager in Atlanta, does not see John Collins as a money dump.”
Because Collins’ production hasn’t matched the contract, the question becomes whether Atlanta should include a carrot to deal him (which Fields seems opposed to doing) or whether the Hawks should ask for a draft carrot to trade him.
Here’s the big red flag with the 6-9 Collins, and why this might not be worth pursuing for Miami: The Heat likes playing a stretch four alongside Bam Adebayo, and Collins’ threepoint shooting has badly regressed to 24.4 percent this season (29 for 199), down from 40.1, 39.9 and 36.4 the previous three seasons.
That’s a big reason his scoring average has dropped to 13.3 per game, from 16.2 last season.
That would be a lot of money to take on with the hope that this season’s three-point shooting numbers are an anomaly.
Indiana’s Myles Turner. The Pacers and Turner opened contract extension talks last month, and there’s no indication Indiana will try to deal him.
Always a shot blocker and
AAtrend of inefficient outside shooting. The Heat entered Saturday with the NBA’s fifth-worst team three-point percentage at 33.7 percent after finishing last regular season as the league’s most efficient three-point shooting team at 37.9 percent.
“It was just one of those nights,” Herro said following Friday’s loss. “Shots weren’t falling. We didn’t hit any threes for the most part that can really get us in a good groove, in a good rhythm on offense. It was a lot of tough buckets, twos, which are good for us. But we got to generate more threes.”
The past month-plus has actually included more good than bad for the Heat. Miami has won 13 of the past 20 games following a 12-15 start to the season.
But one thing the Heat hasn’t done during this stretch is earn many quality wins, taking advantage of a soft spot in its schedule during this 20-game span. Of the Heat’s 13 wins during this stretch, nine came against teams that entered Saturday with a sub-.500 record and one came against a team that entered Saturday with a .500 record.
The only three victories deterrent at the rim, Turner has become a more appealing potential target, theoretically for Miami, because he’s shooting a career high 39.4 percent on threes, up from his 35.5 career average.
He’s averaging a career high 17.1 points and 7.8 rebounds.
The issue is whether Miami has enough appealing assets for Indiana and whether it would have interest in giving him a big contract, exceeding the $18 million that he’s making this season. Robinson likely would be of little appeal to the Pacers; any deal would need to be sweetened with Martin and a firstrounder and perhaps Yurtseven, at the very least.
Washington’s Kyle Kuzma,
earning $13 million this season and likely to decline his $13 million player option next year, is a logical and appealing target, but the Wizards are instead looking to move Rui Hachimura with an eye toward keeping Kuzma, according to The Athletic.
From a Heat standpoint, Hachimura — an impending restricted free agent — would be far less appealing. He has been a poor three-point shooter in three of his four seasons, including
32.1 percent this year.
Minnesota’s Taurean Prince and Kyle Anderson,
who could be put in play if the underachieving Wolves decide to make changes. Both have affordable contracts, can shoot threes and would be helpful rotation additions. In the final year of their contracts next season, Prince is owed $7.6 million, Anderson $9.3 million.
Whether the Heat would consider pairing Jovic with Dedmon — or whether Minnesota would consider that — is questionable.
San Antonio’s Doug McDermott and Zach Collins,
two skilled three-point shooters.
AAAduring this stretch against teams currently with winning records were two over the Milwaukee Bucks and one over the Pelicans. Both teams were missing some of their best players in those games, as the Bucks were without starters Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton and the Pelicans did not have starters Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones in those matchups against the Heat.
“If we are who we want to be, you’re going to have to somehow overcome great performances, great players and great teams and find a way to get the job done,” Spoelstra said prior to Friday’s loss in Dallas.
Of course, the Heat also has dealt with its own injury issues along the way and has navigated them to reach late January with a winning record. Miami entered Saturday with the secondmost missed games in the NBA (197 missed games) this season due to injury, according to Spotrac.
The Heat is as healthy as it has been all season now, though, and it doesn’t have many days left to waste.
The upcoming homestand includes matchups
CHATTER
Christian Wilkins against the Pelicans on Sunday, an Eastern Conference finals rematch against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday and the Orlando Magic on Friday.
All the while, the Feb. 9 NBA trade deadline looms.
“We have an important week, with three important games,” Spoelstra said. “We’re not looking ahead to the whole homestand, but Sunday against New Orleans, and we have Boston and Orlando, it’s an important week for sure.”
INJURY REPORT
The Heat ruled out Nikola Jovic (lower back stress reaction), Duncan Robinson (finger surgery) and Omer Yurtseven (ankle surgery) for Sunday’s game against the Pelicans. Udonis Haslem is listed as probable because of right Achilles tendinosis.
The Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram (toe contusion) and Zion Williamson (hamstring strain) against the Heat. Naji Marshall is doubtful because of toe soreness.
Anthony Chiang: 305-376-4991, @Anthony_Chiang
McDermott is owed $13.7 million next season in the final year of his deal; Collins has a $7.7 million team option.
Among others, the Heat remains interested in Phoenix’s
Jae Crowder (but it’s unlikely they would give up Martin or a first-rounder in a deal), Chicago has given no indication it’s looking to move the expiring contract of sweet-shooting center
Nic Vucevic (though it cannot be ruled out), and the Heat hasn’t been among the teams linked nationally to Detroit’s
Bojan Bogdanovic.
Orlando’s Mo Bamba (7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 37.6 percent on threes) has been floated in league circles but is due $10.3 million next season. Utah could be receptive on Kelly Olynyk; he’s due $12.8 million this year and $12.2 million next season, and the Heat has embraced second tours of players before.
The Heat has expressed some interest in Knicks backup swing forward Cam Reddish.
Charlotte reportedly is considering options on small forward
Jalen McDaniels, who’s on a cheap expiring contract ($1.9 million), can shoot threes and has the size (6-9) to play power forward.
So there are options for Miami to add another power forward. But the notion of getting anything good for the Dedmon and Robinson contracts seems inconceivable, unless there’s a sweetener or two (Martin, a first-rounder, Yurtseven or perhaps Jovic).
Here’s an important rule to keep in mind: A team that would be above the luxury tax threshold after completing a trade (and Miami is barely under) can take back only 125 percent of salary sent out, plus $100,000.
Aisn’t the only Dolphins defensive player who has made a case for a contract extension. So has Zach Sieler, who — like Wilkins — can become an unrestricted free agent in March 2024. Sieler is due to make $2.5 million base salary next agent.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told WQAM’s Joe Rose on Thursday that he has “approached” the Dolphins about a contract extension. Sieler played 877 defensive snaps, ranking in the top four among all NFL defensive linemen. He had a career high 70 tackles and tied a career high with 3.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus rated him 22nd among
125 qualifying defensive tackles.
The representation for Wilkins, coming off a 98-tackle season, also is expected to discuss a contract extension with the Dolphins. He’s due to make $10.8 million next season on his fifth-year option. Wilkins led NFL defensive linemen in snaps.
All nine Dolphins home games next season will be at Hard Rock Stadium; none of the team’s home games will be moved to an international venue, the NFL said Thursday. It’s possible the Dolphins could still play an international game, as a road team against the Jets, Patriots or Chiefs. The Dolphins will play eight road games next season after playing nine road games this season.
New Marlins infielder Luis Arraez, acquired Friday, is in good company; he is just the fifth batting champ to switch teams in the following offseason, joining Bill Madlock (Cubs to Giants in 1976), Rod Carew (Twins to Angels in 1978), Willie McGee (A’s to Giants in 1990) and Jose Reyes (Mets to Marlins in 2011).
AABarry Jackson: 305-376-3491, @flasportsbuzz