Miami Heat Emerge As Favorites To Land Lethal Midrange Scorer

The Miami Heat saw a disappointing end to the season, an unlikely situation for a franchise that is otherwise synonymous with postseason success. This in itself has triggered a need to make some drastic moves to see them emerge as contenders again.

The Heat saw some major changes last season. With a franchise cornerstone in Jimmy Butler on his way out, the Heat now features a young duo of stars in Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Andrew Wiggins has also been a great addition in this regard. A solid veteran with championship experience can be of great benefit to a team, but what the Heat need is a first option. 

While they have shown immense talent and potential, it is quite evident that there are some missing pieces. Their hunt for a star of this caliber has seen them linked to several big names in the league. 

On this note, Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan has appeared as a potential target for the Heat. Additionally, the Heat have also been viewed as the most likely landing spot for the 35-year-old in the offseason.

After a particularly disappointing season with the Kings, it is clear that DeRozan's title window is closing fast. With a need to join a winning side, Miami might just be the place for him. Let's take a look at a potential trade package that could help the Heat land the lethal midrange scorer.

Proposed Trade Package:

Miami Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan

Sacramento Kings Receive: Terry Rozier, Pelle Larsson, 2027 second-round pick

DeMar DeRozan Becomes The Heat's First-Option Scorer

The Miami Heat features an extremely talented bunch of players led by a competent coach in Erik Spoelstra. With the likes of Herro, Adebayo, and Wiggins running the show, Miami has all the right pieces to be successful. However, the addition of DeRozan potentially transforms them into a title contender.

The 35-year-old has made a career out of being a bona fide scorer, and when it comes to the midrange, he is one of the best in the business. DeRozan averaged 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on shooting splits of 47.7% from the field. His ability to put the ball in the basket makes him a solid go-to scoring option, exactly what the Heat would need.

DeRozan may struggle in the initial stages with spacing, next to Herro and Wiggins, but once he can slot himself in, he could be immensely effective. Between Miami's lethal perimeter shooting and Adebayo's impressive paint presence, the forward would have every opportunity to slash or exploit the midrange to get his shot.

Miami ended the regular season with a losing record of 37-45 and finished tenth in the East. But they still managed to claw their way into the playoffs through the Play-In tournament. This is a clear indication of how engaged and tenacious this team is. With the right addition, they could look to be among the top teams in the East.

The Kings Receive Reinforcements For Their Backcourt

This trade package isn't only beneficial for the Heat. The Sacramento Kings also stand to gain some valuable assets in the process. The Kings were one of the most exciting teams to watch in the last few seasons. However, their gradual decline has seen them look far more vulnerable. 

Considering their decision to move De'Aaron Fox to the Spurs before the trade deadline, Sacramento is in dire need of some support in the backcourt. The addition of Terry Rozier could prove to be quite helpful in this case.

Rozier has been an electrifying guard in his time in the NBA. Unfortunately, the last season saw him in a far more reduced role as he averaged only 25.9 minutes a game. With reduced playing time, the Heat guard saw his averages drop to 10.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. But, at 31 years old, he may have more to give.

Although Rozier doesn't solve Sacramento's need for a playmaker, he could be a valuable addition to the team as a scoring punch off the bench. Additionally, as an expiring contract worth $26.6 million, acquiring Rozier and letting him walk frees up a lot of cap space for the Kings to go after a legitimate star next summer.

Pelle Larsson is the second asset joining the Kings as part of this proposal. The Swedish guard is coming off his rookie season, averaging 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 14.2 minutes played per game. While none of his statistics stand out, he has shown upside as a scorer and playmaker when given playing time. Cultivating this talent could be of value.

The Kings would also gain a second-round pick as part of the deal. However, this is a bit of hit-or-miss as the Thunder, the Knicks, or the Spurs may have the right to swap this pick. So while it may be of value, it could really come down to the last moments.

Regardless, the Kings may stand to gain much more from this deal in the long term. However, this would simply be one step in the roster restructuring process.