The Miami Heat’s championship run with superstar Jimmy Butler is almost over.
If Butler isn’t worthy of a max contract, Heat team president Pat Riley seldom gives him one, so it shouldn’t be shocking if this is his last season in Miami. The 35-year-old’s replacement might be none other than Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Bleacher Report.
According to B/R’s Andy Bailey, “it’s probably fair to expect the “face of the franchise” mantle to pass to someone else (presumably Bam Adebayo) soon, even if Butler stays with Miami beyond the summer of 2025.” “All of that suggests the Heat could be in the market for a new small forward.”
For the Heat, letting sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. grow into a key member of the team is the better course of action. Investigating the possibility of a blockbuster transaction becomes more rational if it isn’t possible. Even though he isn’t a frequent All-Star, Ingram regularly scores 20 points when he shoots well.
Naturally, Ingram isn’t destined to follow in Butler’s footsteps. Not at all,” wrote Bailey. “And Miami might logically persuade itself that Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will someday take the place of its current star. However, including Ingram might offer those two a little more leeway.”
Riley is not hesitant to bring in top talent from outside the company, but only if the offer is reasonable.
Jimmy Butler might be playing for the Miami Heat for the final time this year, or he might sign an extension and play for a few more years. In any case, though, the organization needs to begin considering what comes after Butler. Former team president Pat Riley has gone whale hunting and returned home with players like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, to mention a few. Although he isn’t nearly either of those guys, Brandon Ingram, a forward with the New Orleans Pelicans, is a player of All-Star caliber who has scored more than 20 points per game for the
The Pels spent the entire summer shopping Ingram around the NBA, but in the end, nobody was interested. The commonly held belief that the forward is looking for a maximum deal is one of the main causes of that.
The Pels spent the entire summer shopping Ingram around the NBA, but in the end, nobody was interested. The commonly held belief that the forward is looking for a maximum deal is one of the main causes of that.
That wouldn’t have mattered as much in the past, but the new league restrictions in place punish teams severely for overspending on new players after they surpass the salary cap. The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are two teams that have been chronic spenders in the last few seasons. To put it another way, teams need to exercise far greater caution when offering maximum contracts to avoid falling into mediocrity.
Not that Ingram is supposed to be the next Butler. Not at all. Furthermore, Miami might plausibly convince itself that Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will someday take the place of their present superstar. However, Ingram’s addition might provide those two a little more leeway. Riley, Herro, Jaquez, and Adebayo, as well as any other player who might emerge from the younger core, could all play secondary roles as playmakers as Ingram ages, provided Riley and the front staff can convince him to sign a more affordable new deal.
Another issue is that the Heat don’t have a center to send to New Orleans without trading for Adebayo, which is a major need for the team. That may complicate things somewhat because the Heat might have to find a third team that has the kind of asset the Pelicans are looking for, as that would almost certainly not be a starter for Miami.
