NBA NEWS: The Miami Heat have reportedly land a $197 million forward, Zion Williamson, to form a terrifying Big Three with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. This move would be a franchise-altering trade, bringing in a bonafide superstar to pair with Herro and Adebayo. Williamson, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, has blossomed into an…
The Miami Heat have struggled in the immediate aftermath of their mid-season decision to ship superstar forward Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, though the team did pick up a massive 112-86 victory against Golden State in Butler’s return to the Kaseya Center on Tuesday night, improving their record to 31-41.
With Miami’s Andrew Wiggins beginning to play well next to first-time All-Star guard Tyler Herro and 5-time All-Defensive Team selection Bam Adebayo, recent reports have suggested that their general manager Andy Elisburg may look to swing a major transaction this summer to bring in another bonafide superstar.
In fact, it’s possible that Elisburg and his staff could agree to terms on a franchise-altering trade to land 2-time All-Star Zion Williamson from the New Orleans Pelicans.
“The Jimmy Butler-less Heat seem primed for a shakeup, and president Pat Riley seldom misses an opportunity to chase a distressed asset,” Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley wrote Wednesday.
“Williamson should easily meet that definition. Even if this run has helped restore some value, he won’t cost nearly as much as a player of his caliber normally would.”
At 24 years old, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has blossomed into an incredible all-around talent through his first five seasons with the Pelicans.
Although the high-flying forward has dealt with constant injury misfortune since his admission to the Association, his skillset cannot be denied.
The 6-foot-6, 284-pound leaper has contributed 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals while knocking down 56.7% of his looks from the floor in 30 appearances this season.
As a prospective acquisition for Miami, Williamson could prove to be the perfect candidate to help lead the group towards title contention in the near future.
Thanks to Williamson’s ridiculous physical attributes, he has become both a consistent rim-running threat and improved shot-blocker, making him a potentially great two-way fit with the offensive-minded Herro and intimidating defensive presence Adebayo.
If Elisburg is looking to take a risk by shipping away several key prospects like Jamie Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jović along with first-round draft capital for a top-tier talent, contacting New Orleans may become one of his best options this offseason.
