Miami Heat’s Pursuit of DeMar DeRozan and Tyus Jones Falls Short
The Miami Heat attempted to make significant roster additions by acquiring DeMar DeRozan and Tyus Jones this summer, but their efforts were unsuccessful due to the unappealing contract of Duncan Robinson. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Heat were actively pursuing these players but couldn’t finalize any deals.
“They were very keen on getting DeMar DeRozan and tried hard to secure him, but no one was interested in Duncan Robinson’s contract, no offense,” Marks explained. “They had only one first-round pick to trade and also wanted Tyus Jones, but couldn’t reach an agreement.”
Robinson’s contract, which amounts to $39.2 million over the next two seasons, is considered too steep for a player primarily known for his shooting. The Heat find it challenging to trade Robinson without attaching draft assets, and they are reluctant to use their remaining tradeable pick just to offload his salary.
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DeRozan was ultimately sign-and-traded to the Sacramento Kings, who managed to facilitate the move by involving the San Antonio Spurs. Last season, DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Tyus Jones, still a potential trade target for the Heat, remains one of the most sought-after free agents. He posted averages of 12.0 points and 7.3 assists last season with the Wizards.
Miami Heat’s Standing in the Eastern Conference
The Heat’s inability to execute impactful trades has left them trailing behind other top teams in the Eastern Conference. Despite an attempt to acquire Terry Rozier last season, the move didn’t elevate them to contender status. With Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro frequently battling injuries, the Heat’s prospects look dim.
Currently, the Celtics, 76ers, and Knicks are the leading teams in the East, with the Bucks also considered strong contenders. The Heat now find themselves in a precarious position, possibly even behind emerging teams like the Pacers and Cavaliers. The Orlando Magic also surpassed them in the standings last season. This outlook suggests the Heat might only be a play-in team, which doesn’t align with Bam Adebayo’s aspirations of winning Defensive Player of the Year.
Jimmy Butler’s future with the team is uncertain, and if the Heat continue to struggle, they might have to consider rebuilding by trading Butler before he can leave in free agency. This scenario is less than ideal, but the organization hopes that a healthy season for their stars could still result in a title push.
The Heat remain active in seeking trade partners to offload Robinson’s contract in hopes of securing an upgrade. If unsuccessful, they may have to settle for being a mid-tier team in the upcoming season.
