The Miami Heat currently find themselves atop of the Eastern Conference standings this season at 45-24, making them one of the favorites to make the NBA Finals in search of a title.
Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry make up the Heat’s new “Big 3” and with Tyler Herro as the likely recipient of the Sixth-Man of the Year award this season, the Heat have found a ton of success on both ends of the floor.
However, what has defined the Heat this year is their depth and ability to win games without their star players.
Without Jimmy Butler this season, the Heat are 13-9. Without Bam Adebayo, the Heat are 17-8. Without Kyle Lowry, the Heat are 11-6.
Are you seeing the trend yet?
The Heat’s ability to sustain success without their All-Stars has been quite remarkable and the contributions they have received from slept-on talents like Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Dewayne Dedmond and Omer Yurtseven this season has been tremendous.
Ranking inside the Top-10 in both offensive and defensive rating this season, the Heat are going to be a very tough team to beat in a seven-game series this year.
Regardless if they make the NBA Finals or not, team president Pat Riley and the Heat front-office are going to be looking for ways not only to improve their team in the offseason, but avoid crossing the luxury tax threshold.
Since the 2013-14 season, the Heat have gone over this tax line just once and if they can be a championship contender without having to pay taxes, the Heat will make sure this is their reality.
As a result, Duncan Robinson could be a player the Heat look to move on from in the offseason, as the $74.3 million remaining on his contract could wind up eating away at Miami’s ability to land other star-like talents on their roster.
Given his production declining slightly this season, Robinson’s value on the open market is definitely a question mark, but the Sacramento Kings could be interested in the sharpshooter.
Let’s take a look at a hypothetical offseason trade that the Heat could explore with the Sacramento Kings involving Duncan Robinson.
Miami Heat Receive: F Harrison Barnes
Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson
Should the Miami Heat open up trade discussion centered on Duncan Robinson, the Sacramento Kings could very well be a team that is willing to inquire about the 27-year-old sharpshooter’s availability given their need for difference-makers outside of their two stars.
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are a really strong “one-two” punch for Sacramento, but the rest of their roster is lacking talent and most importantly, this team has virtually no three-point shooting threats.