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NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 teams who should be chasing Robert Covington

By Bryan Toporek

DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 4: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the game on December 04, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 4: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks hugs Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves after the game on December 04, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 27: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Meyers Leonard #0 of the Miami Heat during the home opener at Target Center on October 27, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Heat 116-109. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 27: Robert Covington #33 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends against Meyers Leonard #0 of the Miami Heat during the home opener at Target Center on October 27, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Heat 116-109. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat haven’t popped up in Covington trade rumors yet, but they might be the most logical landing spot of all.

Led by Jimmy Butler and breakout star center Bam Adebayo, the Heat have gotten off to a shockingly great 31-14 start, putting them a half-game behind the second-seeded Toronto Raptors heading into Monday’s action. They lack much top-tier talent beyond those two, but young players such as Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson have rounded out their rotation admirably to date.

If the Heat aren’t comfortable relying on so many inexperienced players when the playoffs roll around, Covington could help bridge the gap and bolster their title chances.

The Heat don’t have much in the way of draft compensation to offer, as they already owe their 2021 and 2023 first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they’ve traded away all of their second-rounders through 2026. However, they do have plenty of salary-matching fodder, from James Johnson ($15.3 million) and Kelly Olynyk ($12.7 million) to Dion Waiters ($12.1 million) and Meyers Leonard ($11.3 million).

But their most intriguing option is Justise Winslow ($13.0 million).

Winslow has missed all but 11 games this season with a bone bruise in his back, and he still has no timetable for his return. If the Timberwolves are intent on competing for a playoff spot this season, Covington figures to be far more helpful in that regard than Winslow.

However, both Winslow and Covington are signed through the 2021-22 season, so the Timberwolves don’t necessarily need to prioritize immediate gratification with this trade. Winslow can operate as a de facto point guard, filling the void that opened when they traded Jeff Teague to the Atlanta Hawks for Allen Crabbe, and his defensive prowess would slot in nicely alongside Andrew Wiggins, Josh Okogie and Jarrett Culver on the wing.

If Miami is willing to deal Winslow to add a healthy, proven playoff contributor, a Winslow-for-Covington swap would make a ton of sense for both sides.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Early Bird Rights.

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