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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 trades Miami Heat need to make

By Tom West

Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) runs up the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) runs up the court in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) gestures after a three point basket during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) gestures after a three point basket during the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 111-97. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Arron Afflalo

If the Heat aren’t able to get their hands on Rudy Gay, Arron Afflalo is definitely someone worthy of their attention. Wade is still having a good season (it’s even more impressive for someone of his age) and when healthy Goran Dragic is still a better scorer when slashing to the basket. Besides Chris Bosh’s floor spacing ways and Gerald Green’s quick-trigger shooting off the bench, they don’t have many perimeter weapons at their disposal.

Overall, the Heat rank a mere 26th in the NBA for both three-point percentage (32.9) and made threes per game (6.5).

This is where the addition of Afflalo makes sense. He’s not an elite player which keeps him in the Heat’s trade playing field with limited pieces to offer, yet he’s averaging 14.2 points per game this season and is a 38.3 percent three-point shooter for his career. He’s a highly effective mid-range shooter too, with a current career-high mark of 46.7 percent from 16 feet out.

The Knicks may consider this deal for financial reasons. Afflalo could stick around in New York after this season thanks to his player option for the 2016-17 season. If that’s the case, the Knicks have another $8 million salary on their payroll, which could be used more effectively in free agency with the rising salary cap. If they want to make a run for the likes of Kevin Durant and the best the NBA has to offer, they want all the money they can get. Also, if Afflalo uses his player option, he can leave and they get nothing in return.

If the Heat offer Luol Deng in exchange for Afflalo, the Knicks can be rid of Deng’s $10.1 million expiring contract this summer. Even if Afflalo isn’t traded but decides to leave, the Knicks still get $2 million extra in cap space if they bring in Deng and let him go after the season (every little helps, and all that).

The Heat add a viable scoring option and perimeter threat, while the Knicks get a reliable defensive forward and proceed to free agency knowing they can focus on making some blockbuster signings. This trade can work for both sides, and the Heat should bear it in mind if they’re looking for a small forward and acquiring Gay doesn’t work out.

Next: Targeting a sought after sixth man

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