Less than three days remain until Thursday’s trade deadline for the Miami Heat, who are in a sort of purgatory.
Although they are not competing at a championship level, the eighth-seeded Heat are playing well enough to qualify for the playoffs. They are missing two essential components that enable a major acquisition: draft capital and sizable, movable contracts. But the Heat are masters at finding and nurturing underappreciated talents.
According to a recent Bleacher Report report, the Heat might benefit from the low-cost versatility and offensive upside of these five forwards.
The Simone Fontecchio: Despite only averaging nine points per game, the Utah Jazz part-time starter is shooting 45.2 percent and 39.4 percent from beyond the arc. Particularly off the Heat bench, that efficiency may have a significant effect. Fontecchio scored 24 points in two games, both Jazz wins, showcasing his offensive ability.
Santi Aldama: Aldama exudes possibilities. The 7-footer for the Memphis Grizzlies, who makes 4.8 attempts per game and shoots 34.8 percent from three-point range, is the epitome of a stretch four. A large man with deep-range shooting ability is usually useful. In 24 minutes a game, the 23-year-old averages 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds; nevertheless, against the formidable Boston Celtics, he recorded a game high of 28 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
Marshall Naji: Marshall is less of an offensive menace and more of a defensive expert. With a defensive rating of 114.5, the New Orleans Pelicans compare favorably against Jimmy Butler’s 115.7. Marshall is not a frequent shooter, but he is reasonably accurate. The 6-foot-6 forward shoots 44.7 percent and 37.1 percent from outside the arc to averaging 7.4 points per game.
Saddiq Bey: The most well-known player on this list is the swingman for the Atlanta Hawks. Bey was chosen for the 2021 First Team All-Rookie team. The 24-year-old has had trouble being productive and has failed to regain that spark. Despite shooting 41.3 percent and a career-worst 30.3 percent from three, Bey is averaging 12.9 points. It’s a well-deserved reputation that the Heat can turn around players like Bey.
Watanabe Yuta: Out of the five, Watanabe has the least chance of having an effect. He is barely averaging 3.7 points and has been cut from the Phoenix Suns’ starting lineup. Watanabe, who is shooting only 36%, doesn’t provide much offensively. He provides decent size (6-foot-9) and a strong work ethic on defense despite his flaws.
