Magnificent: Heat have signed Joe Ambiid for a $33m deal

The Miami Heat have had a rough offseason so far, and with the regular season approaching, they need a dramatic shift to remain competitive.

Last season, the Heat managed to scrape into the playoffs as the 8th seed, only to be eliminated in the first round by the top-seeded Boston Celtics. Injuries played a significant role in their downfall, with key players like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier sidelined at critical moments.

Entering the 2024 offseason, the Heat’s moves have been underwhelming, leading to criticism from fans and analysts alike. They haven’t made any major signings or trades, and their current roster looks similar to last year’s squad that struggled to find consistency.

The team’s reluctance to make bold moves has left many questioning their strategy. With Butler aging and the window for a championship run closing, the Heat need to consider all options, including potentially trading one of their cornerstone players, Bam Adebayo, for a superstar like Joel Embiid.

Why This Move Makes Sense For The HeatThe Miami Heat have been struggling to make a significant impact this offseason, prompting discussions about potential drastic changes. One such change could be trading for Joel Embiid, a perennial MVP candidate and one of the most dominant big men in the league. Embiid averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 per game during the 2023-24 season, reaffirming his status as an elite player. His friendship with Jimmy Butler, a key figure in Miami’s roster, could further solidify the team’s chemistry and performance on the court.

Embiid’s time in Philadelphia has been marked by personal accolades but team disappointments, as the 76ers have yet to reach the Conference Finals with him leading the charge. This trade offers Embiid a fresh start with a team that has a recent history of deep playoff runs. The Heat, led by Butler, have reached the Eastern Conference Finals twice in the last four seasons, and adding a player of Embiid’s caliber could be the catalyst they need to make a championship push.

Including Tyler Herro in the trade, although difficult, makes sense both financially and strategically. Herro posted averages of 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists last season, proving himself as a key scorer for Miami. However, his contract and the emergence of other young talents, such as Nikola Jovic, make him expendable in a deal that brings back a superstar. Offloading Herro’s contract also provides some cap flexibility, which could be used to add more depth around Butler and Embiid. For the 2024-25 season, Herro is set to earn a base salary of $29 million. His contract escalates annually, reaching $31 million in 2025-26 and $33 million in 2026-27 As a four-year deal worth $120 million signed two offseasons ago.