3 contenders that badly need a trade before the deadline

Miami Heat: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

The Heat have seemingly fallen apart since their NBA Finals run in the 2020 bubble. Outside the big three of Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo, most of their supporting cast has either fallen off or left. Six of the nine players in their finals rotation are no longer getting minutes.

This has left the Heat without much depth, and it’s shown in their performance so far this season. Their 4th ranked defense has carried them to an above .500 record at 28-22, but Miami ranks 27th in the league in both offensive rating and team three-point percentage. Clearly, any kind of offensive upgrade is needed. Here is a trade that would accomplish this.

Only an extremely desperate team would give up two unprotected first-round picks and a lightly protected first-rounder all the way in 2029 for a return that doesn’t have an All-Star player. Yup, that’s where the Heat are at.

Desperation isn’t the only reason the Heat would make this trade, though. While none of Vanvleet, Trent Jr, or Young is an All-Star, their combined impacts total more than one All-Star caliber player. Vanvleet and Young are proven veterans and have played in many playoff games. In Vanvleet’s case, he’s having a down year, but his status as a respected veteran still should have teams expecting him to bounce back. Trent has only played in one playoff series and struggled. However, he still would provide some much-needed shooting and shot-creation, as well as some youth at 22 years old.

Miami also gets to move off Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry’s contracts in this deal– an accomplishment to be equally proud and embarrassed about.

From the Raptors’ side of things, a rebuild seems to be on the horizon. A recent statement from New Orleans Pelicans guard C.J. McCollum says as much. This deal would get Toronto a haul of picks in return for three players who, if they plan to rebuild, won’t be a part of their long-term future.