It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, so it’s a little early to start hearing about Miami Heat trades, but the team’s promising start and obvious holes on the rest of the roster have potential NBA deals circulating. While the league has assumed that the Heat will make a major trade at some point, the reality is that they are more likely to stick with their current stars and upgrade the role players.
That’s where one of the league’s top role players could provide some winter fuel to Heat trade rumors. Bulls guard Alex Caruso isn’t on the trade market yet, but he’s already generating interest as a player Chicago could pursue as it looks to retool away from its veterans and toward its young players.
And Caruso would alleviate a lot of the Heat’s problems. Tyler Herro is out with an injury, and veteran Josh Richardson appears to be in over his head in the backcourt. Caruso has the energy and passion that coach Erik Spoelstra prefers, and he can play either guard position.
“They need a guard in the worst way,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “They’re not out there beating the bushes for a trade or anything like that; that’s not how they work.” They’re going to say they like Josh and Dru Smith and everything else. But they must be concerned, and if the Bulls make it known that Alex Caruso is available for trade, they must be the first in line. He is an Erik Spoelstra type all the way. They’re definitely keeping an eye on him. “Yes, we all do.”
Salary Structure Calms Heat Trade Rumors
However, one of the issues with any Miami Heat trade rumor this season is the way the team’s salaries are structured. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro are the top four earners, each earning more than $27 million. After Duncan Robinson ($18 million), the Heat have Caleb Martin ($6.8 million) and eight players on near-minimum contracts worth less than $4 million.
This makes matching Caruso’s salary ($9.5 million) difficult. Martin would be the simplest option, but he is a key member of the Heat and is unlikely to be moved. The Heat could piece together smaller contracts after December 15 (when recently signed players can be traded), but that is also difficult.
If they package, say, Richardson, Orlando Robinson, and 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic, plus a future first-round pick, they’d be taking on $2.4 million in salary, which would put them dangerously close to the $182.7 million luxury tax “second apron.”
A third team would almost certainly be required (the Bulls would not want a three-for-one deal). However, it would be a difficult needle to thread.
Alex Caruso Is Going to Be ‘Coveted’
And if Caruso is traded, he will be a valuable commodity. He is a proven winner (he helped the Lakers win the bubble championship) and a role player who can lead with hustle and defense, contributions far more valuable than his career average of 6.0 points on 43.0% shooting
A crowded market would, of course, make such Heat trade rumors difficult to pursue. However, he is likely to be mentioned in Heat trade rumors.
“Coveted is a good word to describe him. “They could trade Alex Caruso tomorrow if you want to make a trade,” the executive told Heavy Sports. “Half the league’s teams would be there with an offer.” A lot of teams are keeping an eye on the situation, and Caruso is getting more attention than anyone else on the roster. It’s just a matter of when the Bulls are ready to make a change and let him go.”
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