The Heat, sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with an 11-16 record, are suffering from the fact that they never found a true replacement for Jae Crowder. In order to replicate their success from last season and make another successful run at the NBA Finals, they need to obtain a big forward. If it seems like the Miami Heat is linked to a new trade nearly every day, it’s because the franchise desperately needs to shake up their roster and quickly.
#Rudy gay trade to spurs free#
Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the Miami Heat can acquire both of these players by offering a draft pick and salary filler in Iguodala/Olynyk. Even though Gay would be a fine option, there are other inexpensive options that would be better fit for the team.Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on Novemin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to John Hollinger of the Athletic, teams weren’t interested in acquiring Love when the Cavaliers made him available around the draft. Conversely, he converted 36.4 of his catch and shoot threes on 5 shots per game.įurthermore, the Cleveland Cavaliers couldn’t find a trade for him as of November. Love has made 36.7 percent of his above the break threes since the 2013-14 season on 4.5 attempts per game. Porter continued to deal with injuries last season as a broken left foot led to him only playing 14 games. Another option the Heat should be looking at is Kevin Love. For example, he missed the final 11 games with a strained right shoulder.
Porter only appeared in 56 games during the 2018-19 season due to various injuries. Miami won’t have to give up any premium assets to acquire him as his value is very low due to recent injuries. Conversely, he has shot 39.8 percent on above-the-break threes on 2.3 shots per game. Porter is shooting 41.8 percent on catch and shoots since the 2013-14 season on 3 attempts per game. For example, the Heat should be talking to the Chicago Bulls about Otto Porter Jr. Therefore, the Heat should pursue other inexpensive options before acquiring Gay. Why the Miami Heat should be pursuing Kevin Love and Otto Porter Jr before Rudy Gay
On the other hand, he has made 36 percent of his above-the-break threes on 2.3 shots per game. Gay has converted 36.3 percent of his catch and shoot threes since the 2013-14 season on 2.4 attempts per game. Unfortunately for Miami, Gay would only be a slightly passable option in both of these areas. Catch and shoots account for at least 84 percent of those attempts as they have averaged 2.7 and 5.3 per game. Like last season, a significant portion of their attempts has come from above the break as Iguodala and Olynyk are averaging 1.6 and 5 per game, respectively. Power forwards are being utilized in the same way this season as Igoudala and Kelly Olynyk are taking more than 73 percent of their shots from behind the arc averaging 3.2 and 6.3 per game, respectively. More importantly, Iguodala and Crowder took a significant portion of their catch and shoot threes from above the break as they averaged 1.1 and 4.2 above the break threes per game, respectively. At least 65 percent of those attempts were catch and shoots as they averaged 1.9 and 4.2 per game, respectively. Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder attempted more than 53 percent of their shots from behind the arc after the Heat acquired them from Memphis last season, averaging 2.2 and 6.4 per game, respectively. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has been using the power forward position as a floor spacer. How the Miami Heat use power forwards on offense Although the Heat are interested in Gay, is it wise for the team to pursue him? No, as other inexpensive options would be a slightly better fit for the team.
Miami is pursuing a Gay trade because they believe it is an inexpensive way to strengthen their power forward position. Clutch of Five Reasons Sports Network tweeted February 16th that Miami has reached out to San Antonio to inquire about the availability of Gay. The Miami Heat have expressed interest in acquiring power forward Rudy Gay from the San Antonio Spurs before the trade deadline.