Miami Heat: An alternative trade proposition this offseason

While all the recent trade talk centers around some bigger namers, Otto Porter Jr. presents as a legitimate alternative option for the Miami Heat.

After defying the odds in advancing all the way to the NBA Finals, the talk surrounding the Miami Heat has quickly moved towards updating and improving their existing roster.

Thus far, names such as Victor Oladipo, Jrue Holiday and DeMar DeRozan have been raised as possible additions to the team that came within two wins of capturing the fourth title in franchise history. With Oladipo and DeRozan entering the final year of their current deals, and with Holiday possessing a player option for one more season, the clear line of thinking is maintaining sufficient salary cap space for the summer of 2021 and the possibility of attracting reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

One name that has raised virtually no attention is foward Otto Porter Jr.. Considering Porter played just 14 games last season for the Chicago Bulls due to a foot injury, this is certainly one reason for his lack of attention. Furthermore, the fact that the Bulls’ season didn’t continue into the bubble means the former Georgetown product has been completely out of sight and out of mind in recent times.

The No. 3 overall pick of the Washington Wizards in 2013, Porter has played a total of just 70 games over the past two seasons and is now entering the final season of a four-year, $106 million deal. Acquired in Feb. 2019 via trade from the Wizards, Porter quickly had the best stretch of his career following his arrival in Chicago, averaging 17.5 points per game which featured converting at a sizzling 48.8 percent clip from 3-point range.

A career 40.4 percent shooter from long range, Porter’s 1.2 steals per game career average illustrates his ability to influence the game at both ends of the floor. At 6’8″ and with a 7’2″ wingspan, Porter has the physical capabilities to fill in at both forward spots in the frontcourt. Notably, only Porter and Stephen Curry have averaged at least 1.8 3-pointers and 1.4 steals per game while shooting at a 42.0 percent clip from 3-point range since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, per Stathead.

For further background, the following is an excerpt from Porter’s scouting report in the lead up to the 2013 draft from the highly reputable Draft Express:

"Porter appears to be one of the more safe picks in this year’s draft, as there’s little doubt that he has what it takes to be a very good NBA role-player with his excellent combination of size, length, smarts, competiveness, perimeter shooting ability and defensive prowess, in addition to his strong intangibles."

Armed with a $28.5 million player option this coming this season, Porter’s asking price is likely to significantly less than the aforementioned trio of players, due to both his overall status and recent availability. With this in mind, the following deal has been proposed, and is successfully formulated using the Trade NBA website:

Granted, giving up three players who throughout last regular season were regular rotation players, in particular Kendrick Nunn who started all 67 games of his rookie campaign, is not an easy decision. Additionally, Kelly Olynyk was a terrific contributor in the absence of Bam Adebayo in the finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

But ultimately, the chance to add a legitimate starter in the frontcourt with an expiring contract without giving up any of their essential assets is an enticing option. Naturally, Olynyk would need to opt into the final year of his deal, while Derrick Jones Jr. would be included as a sign-and-trade, giving the rebuilding Bulls another young talent to work with. And as an added bonus, the move also frees up a sizeable amount of cap for the Bulls.

Ultimately for the Heat, Olynyk and Jones are unlikely to feature in their long-term future, while Nunn is certainly expendable following the emergence of Tyler Herro in the postseason. So while he’s clearly not their first point of the call this offseason, the acquisition of Otto Porter Jr. would certainly be a more than welcome addition for the Miami Heat.