1 week Ago By Caleb Hightower
The Miami Heat haven’t been the sharpest team in the league to begin the 2024-25 season, which could result in a roster shake-up. According to an NBA Insider, the Heat should complete a trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire a steady 6-foot-7 forward. “This deal would be relatively small on the scale of NBA trades, but it does a lot for both sides,” Sports Illustrated’s Jed Katz wrote Monday.
“Nikola Jovic is someone many are high on, but the Heat haven't given him much of an opportunity to shine. Currently averaging under 20 minutes per game, he would get a chance to develop and prove his value with the Nets.” “Jovic is averaging 8.
7 points and 4.2 rebounds to start the season, but would almost certainly see those stats go up with the Nets. Duncan Robinson has been on the decline since he first broke onto the scene in 2020, and is there to even out the salary.
" "He is more of a net negative than a net positive in this trade which warrants the Heat to throw in a second-round pick for compensation.” “Miami would be getting an immediate impact from Finney-Smith, averaging 10.0 points, 5.
0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals to start the season." "His impact as a 3&D forward is recognized as some of the best for a role player, and he would immediately be a focal point on the defensive end.
Finney-Smith has been known to be able to guard one through five.” Hypothetically, the Heat would trade Nikola Jovic, Duncan Robinson, and a 2026 second-round pick (via the Los Angeles Lakers) to the Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith. While Miami wouldn’t strike a homerun deal with Brooklyn to drastically improve their roster, the franchise would receive a veteran forward who’s active on both ends of the floor.
Finney-Smith is off to a solid start to the 2024-25 season, netting 10 points and recording 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 44% from the field and 34.5% from long-range.
Whether he’s serving as an on or off-ball screener, maintaining his spacing in transition, making teams think twice about daring him to shoot on the perimeter, or defending opponents with contrasting skill sets, the Florida product is a functional two-way weapon for the Nets. Jovic is a solid contributor for the Heat, but it’s unlikely the franchise would balk at trading for a more established, versatile asset. Perhaps Miami will take Katz’s suggestion seriously and pursue Finney-Smith this season.
More NBA: Lakers predicted to trade for 38.2% career three-point sniper from Wizards.
