Miami Heat could trade for John Collins ahead of NBA trade deadline.
There is no denying that this season (so far) has been a massive failure for the Miami Heat. After entering the season with title aspirations, they find themselves tied for the seventh-best record in the East.
Needless to say, improvements can (and must) be made if the Heat want to maximize their chances of making a deep playoff run.
Heat fans will be happy to know that the team may already have a suitor in mind. According to Sean Deveney of Heavy, the Heat are monitoring the situation of Atlanta Hawks swingman John Collins ahead of the deadline.
“John Collins, too, the Heat are one of the teams watching that situation, but they probably need more young assets to send back,” an Eastern Conference executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. “Everyone talks about the [Los Angeles] Lakers’ 2027 pick but (Miami’s 2027 pick) is one that the Heat can trade as well, and there is a lot of value being placed on that pick because you can imagine them hitting a bottom around then. Is it enough to help them get Collins? Probably not but it is a good asset for them.”
Collins, 25, has faded into obscurity on Atlanta's offense. Averaging just 12.9 points per game, he's at his lowest scoring mark since the 2017-18 season.
But in Miami, with Butler, Bam, and a franchise that is known for bringing out the best in its players, he could find a long-term basketball home.
Would John Collins Be Enough To Make The Heat A Legitimate Title Threat?
Collins isn't going to be in any MVP conversations, but his versatility on offense would be a godsend for the Heat, who currently rank 24th on offense.
Collins would open a lot of things up for the team, but the Heat don't have to be buyers this trade deadline. They could just as well be sellers instead, and Bam Adebayo remains their most prized asset (one they are apparently unwilling to let go).
“As far as I know, anyone calling on Bam is getting shut down immediately,” an Eastern Conference GM told Deveney. “They’re not going in that direction. But you know, at the same time, there is some frustration within the team that he is not the consistent star they think he should be. When he is aggressive and playing like he thinks he’s the best guy on the floor, forget it, he is a Top 10 or 15 player. You just don’t get that version of him game in and game out. Trading him though, that is off the table.”
As one of the most prestigious and well-respected organizations in the NBA, the Miami Heat are used to being competitive year after year.
With Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, they still have a core capable of beating anyone on any given night. Now, the Heat have to maximize their talent even further by building a supporting cast of players that can hold their own against the best of them.
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