A Kawhi Leonard, 4-team blockbuster trade involving the Miami Heat
By Simon Smith
Breaking down the deal
Here’s how the deal, involving 13 players from four teams, appears:
Miami Heat
Yes, the Heat have sacrificed a significant amount of their core, and also give up a future first round selection in the deal. However, in the words of Pat Riley, this lands the Heat a truly “transformational player.” In addition to Leonard, point guard Tyus Jones has shown flashes during his three seasons in Minnesota despite limited opportunities.
During 11 starting appearances last season, Jones averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 assists and 2.9 steals per game while being a +141 while on the floor.
With Leonard and Jones on the perimeter, and Whiteside down low, the Heat would have the hallmarks of being one of the absolute elite defensive teams in the league.
New starting lineup:
- G – Tyus Jones
- G – Dion Waiters
- F – Kawhi Leonard
- F – James Johnson
- C – Hassan Whiteside
San Antonio Spurs:
This a truly new-looking lineup from the one that finished up last season. The addition of Jimmy Butler gives the Spurs as close to a Kawhi replacement as you can find in the league. An elite two-way player, Butler has named an All-Star the past four seasons, in addition to four selections to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Furthermore, Jeff Teague provides the Spurs with a legitimate starting point guard, following the relegation of Tony Parker to the bench last season. Then there’s Adebayo, whose age and athleticism provides the Spurs with a completely new look in the middle, and who would provide a perfect complement next to All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.
New starting lineup:
- G – Jeff Teague
- G – Danny Green
- F – Jimmy Butler
- F – LaMarcus Aldridge
- C – Bam Adebayo
Minnesota Timberwolves
While the loss of Butler is a huge blow, the additions here should provide a significant boost to the Timberwolves’ porous long range shooting. A career 40.8 percent 3-point shooter, McCollum’s outside presence will. be invaluable, while Dragic has converted at a 38.7 percent clip from long distance over the past two seasons on 4.0 attempts per game.
Additionally, the introduction of Justise Winslow can help pick up the slack on the defensive end of the floor in the absence of Butler. Furthermore, Zach Collins has just completed a promising rookie season with the Blazers, and provides head coach Tom Thibodeau with further flexibility on the frontcourt.
New starting lineup:
- G – Goran Dragic
- G – C.J. McCollum
- F – Andrew Wiggins
- F – Justise Winslow
- C – Karl-Anthony Towns
Portland Trail Blazers
Giving up on McCollum is naturally a huge gamble, but the arrival of Richardson certainly helps offset this to some extent. One of just three players in the league to record at least 120 steals and 70 blocks last season, Richardson’s ability to dominate defensively, while also shooting at a 37.8 percent clip from 3-point range, makes him a terrific option on the wing.
If center Jusuf Nurkic doesn’t return, Pau Gasol represents a terrific replacement down low. With his ability to pass the ball and have the offense run through him, Gasol would be a terrific fit under head coach Terry Stotts and his innovative offensive schemes.
Additionally, the Blazers are receiving a terrific backup guard in Dejounte Murray, who made great strides last season in replacing Tony Parker in the Spurs’ starting lineup. Such was his progression that Murray was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team despite averaging just 21.5 minutes per game over his 81 appearances.
Furthermore, the Blazers will be receiving a future first round selection to help offset the losses of McCollum and Collins.
New starting lineup:
- G – Damian Lillard
- G – Josh Richardson
- F – Maurice Harkless
- F – Al-Farouq Aminu
- C – Pau Gasol
Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft - Final edition
Ultimately for the Heat, this deal, which works out financially on the ESPN Trade Machine, is their first step towards building a legitimate playoff contender.