Miami Heat: Why a trade for CJ McCollum would be too expensive

Is there a path to success for CJ McCollum with the Miami Heat?

McCollum has the skills to succeed in this role on the court as he has made 43.9 percent of his catch and shoots since 2013 on 2.9 attempts per game. Catch and shoots have been responsible for 51.8 percent of his shots, as he has shot 39.8 percent from behind the arc on 5.6 attempts per game since 2013.

Unfortunately, the problem with acquiring CJ McCollum is the business aspect of the deal, as he is scheduled to make $30.8 million next year. That is way too high of a price tag for a floor spacer. It’s feasible that any trade for a star like McCollum would require the Miami Heat to trade their top young asset Tyler Herro in exchange.

The only way the Miami Heat can justify trading for CJ McCollum, at that price, is if they give him some time as the primary ball-handler. McCollum has thrived in the pick and roll since 2015, shooting 44.8 percent from the field on 6.1 shot attempts per game. The shooting percentage contributed to him generating 6.9 points per game on 7.3 possessions; that is 31.6 percent of his scoring output.

Unfortunately, the Heat can’t afford to give CJ McCollum extra time as the primary ball-handler because his hypothetical co-star, Jimmy Butler, struggles off the ball. Jimmy Butler shot 34.4 percent outside of the restricted area since 2019 on 8.1 shot attempts. Butler’s outside-of-the-restricted area shooting has declined by 3.1 percent as he shot 37.5 percent on 9.7 attempts before 2019.

Consequently, if the Miami Heat gives CJ McCollum extra time as a primary ball-handler, Jimmy Butler’s defender can leave him wide open to help McCollum. This increases the likelihood that McCollum would take a contested shot.

Therefore, it is not worth it for Miami to trade for CJ McCollum and take on that bigger salary to be a floor spacer most of the game. Miami should switch their attention to a player who can excel as a floor spacer but has a lesser price tag.