Miami Heat: 3 game-changing trade propositions for the offseason

Following a 4-0 first-round belting at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, the front office of the Miami Heat knew it was now their time to shine.

With just five players under contract for the 2021-22 season, and with no draft picks in hand, team president Pat Riley and his team are fully aware that this is one of the more pivotal offseasons the franchise has faced in recent memory.

Here are three game-changing trade propositions the Miami Heat should consider this offseason as they look to reshape their roster moving forward.

Naturally, many interested onlookers have already begun to speculate as to what steps the Heat will take to return to prominence. While the free-agent market this summer contains a number of intriguing options, it lacks the overall punch and presence of seasons prior.

Therefore, the trade market represents the most likely source of appeal for the Heat this offseason as it pertains to making a meaningful difference to the overall composition of the roster.

With this in mind, here are three exciting and very realistic trade propositions the Miami Heat front office could consider pursuing this offseason.

Miami Heat trade proposal 3. Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings

It’s understandable that plying your trade with the Sacramento Kings causes a player to fly under the radar. And that’s exactly what’s happened with Harrison Barnes in recent seasons. Since enjoying back-to-back trips to the NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors, Barnes has not appeared in the postseason, spending his past five seasons with both the Dallas Mavericks and the Kings.

Despite his relative anonymity, Barnes is one of just one of 18 players in the league over this span to average at least 17 points and five rebounds per game while shooting at least 37.5 percent from 3-point range. Of this group of players, only Danilo Gallinari, Tobias Harris and Barnes have not been selected as an All-Star.

Last season, his ninth in the league, Barnes averaged 16.1 points per game while posting a career-high in field goal percentage (49.7), rebounds (6.6), assists (3.5) and minutes (36.2) per game. At 6’8″ and with a 6’11” wingspan, Barnes possesses all the physical traits to be a multi-dimensional defender, able to switch out and defender a variety of different-sized players.

Having missed out on the postseason for the 15th consecutive season, the Kings are in no position to be desperate to hold onto a veteran such as Barnes given their dearth of success, if offered a suitable deal.

Here is the proposed trade, which works out financially on the Fanspo NBA Trade Machine:

In the proposed deal, the Heat would pick up the team option on the final year of the deal for Andre Iguodala. Additionally, emerging second-year backup Precious Achiuwa and a future first-round pick would be dealt in order to acquire Barnes. Not only does this provide the Kings with a future draft presence, Achiuwa presents not only as a prospect with terrific upside but furthermore as a potential replacement in the Kings’ rotation, should unrestricted free agent Richaun Holmes depart this summer.

For the Heat, Barnes represents not only presents as a consistent, durable and reliable performer, his ability to stretch the floor and play as an excellent frontcourt partner next to Bam Adebayo means this is something the Heat should at the very least consider.