Miami Heat: 3 reasons why Kawhi Leonard should be top free agent target

Kawhi Leonard would help the Miami Heat form a lethal trio with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler

Nowadays, teams in the NBA need a star-studded trio to compete with the best, and the Miami Heat simply did not have one this season.

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are a great pairing, but the Heat lacked a legitimate third star to round out a formidable trio. It appeared that Victor Oladipo would be that missing piece when the team traded for him before the deadline, but that dream was short-lived as the guard played just four games with the club before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right quad tendon. Sure, the Heat could look to sign Oladipo this offseason and give him a legitimate trial run as the third star on this team next season, but pursuing a surefire superstar like Leonard would certainly be much more desirable.

A trio of Butler, Adebayo, and Leonard is undoubtedly a formidable one, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. These three would pose a nightmarish matchup for opposing offenses on a nightly basis with the prowess each individual brings to the table. This combination of rugged defensive aces could perhaps bolt the Heat to the top of the Eastern Conference hierarchy heading into next season despite the abundance of talent within the conference.

Those Milwaukee Bucks with Giannis Antetokounmo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday are not going anywhere anytime soon. Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving are gunning for the title with one of the most star-studded trios ever pieced together with the Brooklyn Nets. If the Miami Heat will get back into genuine title contention next season, they must look to add that third complementary piece, and right now, Leonard appears to be their best bet.