Miami Heat: 3 potential small forward trade targets

Currently possessing an overabundance of shooting guards on their roster, here are three small forwards the Miami Heat can target via trade.

It’s undeniable that the Miami Heat have an exceptional amount of depth at their disposal entering the 2017-18 season.

Their 30-11 record to finish last season highlighted the level of talent currently on their roster. As they stand at present, a full bill of health means there is going to fierce competition for minutes at each position.

But herein lies the problem.

As currently constructed, the Heat appear to have only one true small forward on their roster in Justise Winslow. Having played just 18 games last season due to a season-ending shoulder injury, Winslow enters his third season with plenty of question marks, particularly in regards to his perimeter shooting. With such doubt hanging over his head, it’s highly unlikely that he will start at the small forward spot in the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, the Heat currently have an overabundance of players naturally suited for the shooting guard position. Dion Waiters, Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Wayne Ellington and Rodney McGruder, due to a combination of their skill-set and physical attributes, would be ideally utilized at the 2-spot.

During a recent Dunc’d On Podcast hosted by Nate Duncan, NBA salary cap expert and Heat fanatic, Albert Nahmad, gave his thoughts on the Heat’s current predicament at the small forward spot, and what they could possibly do moving forward:

"“They’re trying to get Josh Richardson in that role [small forward]. He’s 6’6” but also very skinny. If you go back to what the Heat did this summer, you knew they were going to go after Gordon Hayward. But when that was unsuccessful, you knew they were going to circle back and sign Dion Waiters and James Johnson. “The question is, what were they going with their third [free agent signing]. They wanted a small forward, they recognized the problem, but there just was nobody, and that’s when they circled back to Kelly Olynyk. I think that over the course of the season, if a small forward should become available, that they’ll certainly be open to that.”"

Due to NBA rules, a number of possible trade options on the Heat’s roster can’t be traded until Dec. 15 due to signing just this summer as a free agent. Waiters, James Johnson and Kelly Olynyk (who all signed for four years) can’t be traded until this date, while Richardson can’t be traded for six months after signing his contract extension.

In addition to the above comments, Nahmad also added:

"“I think they’re trying to build up a bunch of guys on reasonable contracts, maybe they’re a bit excessive now. But if any of them breaks out they become valuable contracts, and I think that’s what he’s [Pat Riley] doing.”"

Therefore, it would be reasonable to assume that Riley would likely have a short list of players he thinks are obtainable given the assets the Heat have at their disposal. With this in mind, here are three potential small forward trade targets for the Heat on the eve of the regular season.