This week, the Miami Heat are set to embark on a variety of offseason endeavors, beginning with Wednesday’s draft. Following an injury-plagued season and Butler’s request for a contract extension the Heat are unwilling to provide, there is much speculation that team president Pat Riley may move star wing Jimmy Butler.
The team’s attention would be redirected toward center Bam Adebayo as a result of this possible trade, away from the Butler-Bam tandem that made it to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023 but was unable to win a title.
Nevertheless, there is also a chance that the Heat, extension or not, strive for one more championship run with Butler. To improve their rotation and defense in this scenario, the Heat would need to be active in the trade market.
Miami Heat Might Trade Dejounte Murray for Tyler Herro
Dejounte Murray, a guard for the Hawks who is now available, is one player who could fit the Heat’s needs. Murray is a feasible alternative, even if he’s not the ideal match, and Miami needs to think about how simple it would be to sign him. Murray is a target for other teams, so the Heat would need to get lucky. They’ve already struck it lucky when Mikal Bridges was signed by the Knicks, one of the Nets’ possible suitors.
“If they are willing to send the picks, they can trade Tyler Herro for Murray straight,” an NBA executive told Heavy Sports. Will Atlanta request three selections? That’s certainly the sweet spot if the Heat can get Herro with two choices. Murray can handle the offense, play off the ball when necessary, and offer a two-way play.
The executive did point out that Miami’s readiness to pay Terry Rozier $51 million over the next two years and the team’s acquisition of him at the trade deadline last year would make them less inclined to pursue another point guard. Rozier could play as a sixth man, but the Heat would have to be at ease having Murray and Rozier on the court for extended stretches of time.
The $114 million contract for Dejounte Murray is a good deal.
Atlanta may find that trading Herro and two first-round selections—Miami cannot send selections until 2029 and 2031—for Murray is insufficient, unless Murray’s market proves to be exceptionally dry. Trae Young and Murray are both supposedly open for trade, but Murray is a better fit because to his contract and two-way skills.
Murray has the potential to be a standout defensive player despite not playing well recently for the Hawks. His 6-foot-5 height and quickness earned him a spot on the All-Defense second team in 2018 and an All-Star selection in 2021–2022. With a 45.9% field goal percentage and a 36.3% three-point shooting percentage, he averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in the previous campaign.
Murray is just starting a fair four-year, $114 million contract extension that will pay him $25.5 million for the 2024–25 season, which makes him a highly sought-after player in the NBA.
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