Miami Heat 2023 offseason primer: free agents, trades, draft needs, more

The trade market:

Barring a potential big trade, the Heat may look to make a slightly smaller deal or two to address roster needs and improve their depth. With a limited amount of future draft picks to deal, that may be the more realistic option, and one potential trade option could include a draft-day deal with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs not only have the number one pick in the NBA Draft but also have up to $45 million in cap space. They are also reportedly in the hunt for another first-round pick and a point guard, with several expected to be available in the Heat’s draft range.

As a result, the Heat could trade their 18th pick, as well as Oladipo and Duncan Robinson, for Doug McDermott and Devonte Graham. With Oladipo possibly out for a large chunk of next season, Miami would surely prefer to use his $9.3 million expiring deal in a trade for a player that can help them now.

Graham is an underrated guard who played a fairly big role for the Spurs after they acquired him at the trade deadline. He is a good shooter, capable of knocking down shots off the dribble and spotting up. Graham is also a solid passer, though he generally serves as a secondary ball handler due to his shooting.

McDermott is among the better shooters in the NBA, both as a spot-up threat, running off screens to get open for threes, and surprisingly finishing in the paint. Equally important, he has just one year remaining on his contract, while Graham has two. On the other hand, Robinson has three years remaining, and this trade would save the Heat $26.63 million over the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons.

Getting two potential rotation players and getting off a bad contract as well as dead salary for the cost of a first-round pick might be a viable option for the Heat. But what if the Heat decide to keep their pick?