Their actions during the off-season seem to indicate that the latter is the case. When it comes to acquiring players, the Heat have not been particularly active. Actually, they might have been worse off this season after losing Caleb Martin.

It’s possible that Butler’s Miami championship window came and went. Though he was able to lead the Heat to two NBA Finals, he was unable to lead them to the championship game.

This offseason, he did not receive a contract extension, and if he exercises his player option, he will be free to sign with any team come summer.

However, what if the Heat tried their hardest to win now? Having someone like Kawhi Leonard on board would undoubtedly aid in achieving that goal.

Eddie Bitar proposed a trade on FadeAway World that would send Kawhi to the Heat and Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, 2030 and 2031 first-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers.

One of the best defensive lineups in league history, a Big Three consisting of Kawhi, Adebayo, and Butler would be a complete nightmare to oppose. That’s the kind of defense that instantly elevates you to the title.

According to Bitar, “Teams would struggle to score efficiently against a team where an elite defender capable of forcing turnovers or contesting shots is on the court almost every possession.” With maybe the strongest defensive big three since the Detroit Pistons of the early 2000s, Miami is the clear favorite in the Eastern Conference.”

Naturally, this team’s fitness would be the main concern. Butler missed the playoffs the previous season.

However, Kawhi has also suffered a good deal of injuries. He only participated in two postseason games the previous year, and this summer he had knee surgery.

Nassir Little is the favorite to become the Miami Heat’s “Next Caleb Martin.”

The Miami Heat, who acquired Nassir Little on Monday, will be fully prepared, along with its player development team.

Little has agreed to a one-year contract to sign with the Heat, according to an NBA insider Chris Haynes’ report on Monday.

if your understanding of Little is limited. These are a few interesting facts for you.

Little’s NBA Career started in Portland

In the 2019 NBA Draft, Little was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 25th overall pick out of North Carolina. This draft class included All-Stars Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Darius Garland.

Little finds himself playing alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal on the Phoenix Suns during the 2023–24 season after posting four statistically disappointing seasons in Portland.

Little had his lowest-ever scoring and rebounding average of 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per game while playing 10 minutes a night for the highly talented Suns.

Little, who is six feet six, and Martin, who is six feet five, are both capable of playing at the small forward or power forward position in small-ball teams.

Martin is a career 35 percent three-point shooter, while Little is a respectable 33 percent shooter.

Little has also developed into a superb rebounder for his size and an above-average perimeter defender. At 5.6 rebounds per game, he had his greatest rebounding year with the Blazers in 2021–2022.

Martin is a tiny forward with limited size, but he also has excellent rebounding skills. In 2023–24, he pulled down 4.4 rebounds per game while playing for the Heat.

When you examine Little’s defensive potential in greater detail, especially his on-ball defense, he becomes an even more intriguing candidate for the Heat. Over his career, Little’s defensive rating is 117.6.

While playing for defensive, low-scoring teams like the Heat and Charlotte Hornets has helped him have a lower defensive rating, Martin, on the other hand, has a stronger defensive rating of 112.0.

Little could develop into a useful player for the Heat, who have had success in the last ten years in developing players, such as Martin. Martin has established himself as a tenacious wing player who isn’t scared to attempt huge shots in crucial circumstances under head coach Spo. He was rewarded for it this offseason with a $32 million, four-year contract from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Little is expected to step up his game with a club that allows everyone to have a chance to shine and contribute to the team’s success, which is what the Heat and its supporters are expecting will happen.