Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 of the biggest takeaways from the NBA trade deadline

By Daniel Lubofsky

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 11: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a first half basket with Andrew Wiggins #22 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 11, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 11: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates a first half basket with Andrew Wiggins #22 while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 11, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4. Miami is confident against the rest of the east

The Miami Heat weren’t expected to be among the favorites to land Andre Iguodala. Yet here they stand, having swung a deal for the former Finals MVP while subsequently inking him to a two-year, $30 million extension.

At 34-16, the Heat have managed to blow past their projected ceiling en route to the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference and just two and a half games out of the No. 2 seed.

Despite having made the playoffs once in the last three seasons, simply returning to the postseason picture isn’t good enough for Pat Riley.

Given their 23-7 record against the rest of the conference, including a 7-3 mark against the other top-five teams, Riley truly believes in the Heat’s ability to make a potential run stretching into June and was willing to do anything to help aid it.

Iguodala might have just turned 36, but since Game 6 of the 2019 Finals, he has yet to play in a professional basketball game. His conditioning shouldn’t be in question, and the time off certainly did wonders for both body and mind after five consecutive Finals appearances.

He’s a savvy perimeter defender and high-IQ ballhandler. However much of that Iguodala can provide isn’t as important as the internal confidence Miami clearly had without him that should only grow larger in the presence of a well-respected three-time champion.