The Miami Heat were one of several teams reportedly looking to upgrade prior to this season’s trade deadline. But with nothing of substance on hand, the Heat decided to stand pat.
The 2017 NBA Trade Deadline has now passed and the Miami Heat have decided against testing the waters.
Like several teams, the Heat were rumoured to have had an interest in making some moves prior to the Feb. 23 deadline. Even as late as deadline day, news was trickling through of potential Heat moves:
Miami has shopped a Wayne Ellington/Josh McRoberts package, sources told @TheVertical. Heat appear interested in moving contracts.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) February 23, 2017
Wayne Ellington, for one, was a little taken aback with the trade rumour:
"“It caught me off guard. I didn’t expect anything, but at the same time you’re talking about somebody who has been through a lot of scenarios in this league already. I’m a person who has earned everything I’ve got. I come in every day ready to grind and ready to work. I understand it’s part of the business, part of what we signed on for. I’m happy I’m still here, obviously.”"
This move was, of course, not followed through. Furthermore, there was no indication as to what the Heat would have possibly received in return. At 27-32, the Heat have responded tremendously since compiling an 11-30 record over the first half of the season.
Now just 1.5 games out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings, the current members of this roster has 23 games to prove that they’re viable pieces for the Heat to retain moving forward.
Of course, initially it’s hard to determine whether deciding to stand pat was the correct decision.
Therefore, analyzing the pros and cons of the Heat coming to this decision is a worthwhile exercise.