NBA Trade Deadline 2019: One trade every team should make

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Center Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Center JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Amway Center on November 17, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Lakers 130 to 117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

17 of 31

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 8: Kelly Olynyk #9 of the Miami Heat reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 8, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In what seems like a fairly lopsided trade, the Suns get two rotation players for Ryan Anderson and his 2016 free agent class contract and a 2020 first round pick. Why would Miami do this? The incentive of not having to pay Waiters and Olynyk the remaining money on their salaries, for starters. The Heat’s assembly of good but not great players hasn’t resulted in a team that is much more than a perennial No. 8 seed, and Pat Riley can’t want to see his team’s ceiling be the first round of the playoffs. With the injury to Goran Dragic, it’s time to pack it in and take advantage of their first-round pick in the 2019 draft.

For the Suns, they have plenty of young talent on their team. With their record the way it is, they’re not going to struggle to secure a top five pick in this draft. With that much talent on cheap contracts, they can afford to pay good players bigger money. Olynyk gives them a dependable big to play off the bench, a player that will rebound, stretch the floor, and defend. Waiters gives them a player with swagger and confidence, someone that could potentially be a Sixth Man of the Year in the future as a primary scoring option off the bench. Getting two rotation players for the cost of one first round pick is an easy call.

Home/NBA