NBA Trade Rumors: 5 trades Miami Heat need to make
By Tom West
A multi-player Boston Celtics deal
Yes, this is one of the long shots. Although, it may not be totally out the realm of possibility. The Heat may want to bring in a few young pieces for the future and look elsewhere at center going forward, while the Celtics want to trade quantity for quality, and they’re in the perfect position to do so.
In exchange for Whiteside, the Celtics would send over Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger and a 2016 first round draft pick.
Again, this trade is a possibility to deal with Whiteside if the Heat think he’s going to leave this summer. Rather than looking for a new option at center, the Heat can instead bring in additional depth, a talented wing player and a high draft pick for the future.
In Bradley, the Heat land one of the best young perimeter defenders in the NBA with an improved offensive game. He can play off-ball with his catch and shoot ability and 35.7 percent three-point stroke, while having the ability to create off the dribble at times, too. He’s a 42.3 percent shooter from 16 feet out for his career, and the Heat could benefit from some perimeter shooting.
As for Sullinger, it goes without saying he obviously isn’t the Heat’s replacement for Whiteside at center. That being said, he has an intriguing skill set for his size, with a solid jump shot, good passing, and impressive rebounding rate (13 rebounds per 36 minutes). Not to mention, he’s a nice asset to play alongside Bosh with the way the two could space the floor.
Considering Whiteside’s likelihood to become a max-player, though, even more so with the rise in salary cap, the Celtics are going to need to up the ante. By including one of their three 2016 first round draft picks, they give the Heat the enticing option to select a top rookie talent to add some youth into the mix. The Celtics’ first round pick from the Dallas Mavericks (protected 1-7) would be ideal, or their first round pick from the Brooklyn Nets if they’re really keen.
For cap purposes, the Heat can’t send the Celtics Whiteside alone, due to his cheap-as-chips salary of $981,000. To complete the trade for salary cap purposes, Miami could include Josh McRoberts and another role player, perhaps Chris Andersen or Beno Udrih.
After all, Wade and Bosh can only lead the team for so long as they approach their mid thirties. A top rookie and a highly talented two-way player like Bradley can give the Heat a real burst of energy.
No, this trade isn’t ideal. However, it’s at least an idea to consider if the Heat want to guarantee they won’t lose Whiteside for nothing in free agency this summer and they can bring in a host of depth and a high draft pick in return. With the Celtics ready to finally make a franchise-changing move, they can land their new center of the future. And with Whiteside’s powerful presence inside, they’ll have the perfect complimentary piece to their 2nd ranked defense that excels at the perimeter.
Next: The trade to avoid losing a star center