Miami Heat: A trade proposition for the Los Angeles Clippers

The trade

Why would Miami do this?

This trade could benefit Miami by giving them another volume scorer in Gallinari. Being that Gallo shoots the lights out from 3, he would create more spacing for a team that is already good at shooting 3s. Defenses will focus mostly on Gallinari since he would be the most efficient scorer, which would open up space for everyone else, namely Josh Richardson and Goran Dragic.

The Heat also receive Milos Teodosic, a point guard with great passing vision who shoots 37 percent from 3. They also retain their depth at center with the 7’3″ Boban Marjanovic.

Another reason Miami should consider this deal is it frees up more minutes for 21-year-old Bam Adebayo. The Heat are heavily dependent on Adebayo’s development to have a promising future. His athleticism and high motor makes him an ideal center for the modern NBA. He has potential to be a well-rounded scorer and versatile defender. Allowing him to be the full-time starter will speed up his potential and help build his confidence.

Adebayo is the cornerstone of Miami’s future, and affording him the opportunity to be a starter will only benefit him and the team in the long run. Yet, Adebayo is still good enough to start right now, even if he doesn’t have the same impact Whiteside does in the paint.

Why would Los Angeles do this?

Since the Clippers have been surprisingly successful so far, they likely aren’t aiming to fix what isn’t broken. However, they should considering adding as much high-level talent as possible, especially at different positions.

The Clippers hope to add either Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard this summer via free agency, so it would make sense to move Gallinari to make room for either one at their natural position of small forward while adding one of the league’s best big men.

Whiteside’s contract is only around $4 million more than Gallinari’s and Ellington’s, and is only a one-year deal, after this season, so this trade doesn’t put a significant dent in their plans to sign Durant or Leonard.

Having a player like Whiteside alongside Durant/Leonard and Tobias Harris (who will likely be re-signed by the Clippers this offseason) will benefit Lob City in other areas of the game, as opposed to having Gallinari, who does damage in the same places as Harris, Durant and Leonard. The Clippers also receive a sharpshooter in Wayne Ellington, who is on an expiring deal.

While Whiteside is known for being a locker room problem and got obliterated in the playoffs by Joel Embiid last year, a move to the Clippers would represent a fresh start. He’d get the chance to work with a new coach in Doc Rivers and have the ability to redeem himself in the playoffs should the Clippers remain in contention. Whiteside has been playing better this year than last, and if he can get along with his new teammates, he could reassert himself as a top center in the league.