The Miami Heat’s pursuit of now Sacramento Kings star DeMar DeRozan was reportedly stalled because teams refused to take Duncan Robinson in a deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
According to Marks, “They would have loved to get (DeRozan).”
They made a tremendous effort to acquire DeRozan. No offense meant, but nobody wanted Robinson. They can trade one first-round selection.
Robinson, who averages 12.9 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field and 39.5 percent shooting from three, is coming off of one of his best seasons. He isn’t much more than a one-trick pony offensively, and his defense raises questions. Moreover, the 30-year-old owed $39.3 million for the following two seasons. His trading worth is therefore logically low.
Up until that time, they obtained a guy who may benefit them in many ways when the San Antonio Spurs assisted in the sign-and-trade. Kawhi Leonard might not be Harrison Barnes. But his low-post scoring ability, on-ball defense, and 3-point shooting ability are more alluring than Robinson’s somewhat one-dimensional effect. The Spurs’ locker room benefits from his professionalism, experience, and championship experience as well.
That being said, the Heat would have needed to deal Tyler Herro or Terry Rozier in order to give DeRozan the contract he desired. Next season, Rozier ($24.9 million) and Herro ($29 million) will earn far more than Robinson. In contrast, DeRozan’s new contract will pay him $24.6 million a year.
Since Rozier and Herro are efficient players who provide more than a stretch-four on both ends, they ought to have been able to attract more trade interest than Robinson. Robinson is older than Herro, who is 24 years old. But their past injuries would have diminished their worth.
This would have had an especially negative impact on Rozier, 30, as he was forced to miss the 2024 NBA Playoffs due to a neck ailment. Even though he has spent a significant portion of his career playing off ball, Chris Paul’s presence may have made him even less desirable to San Antonio. Rozier may have piqued the curiosity of other teams in the league, such as the Utah Jazz. When Ainge was the head executive of the Boston Celtics, he was not a big supporter of Rozier. Rozier may have been on Utah’s radar since he became the Jazz’s CEO.
However, the Heat acquired Rozier mostly because they were in need of a better point guard. That remains unchanged by DeRozan. It would have made more sense for Miami to relocate Herro as a result. However, there are inherent challenges when teams are tip-toeing around the second apron.
Ultimately, DeRozan was never going to make it to South Beach without moving Jimmy Butler himself. Of course, Miami may consider this summer a waste of time if Butler departs the Heat in 2025 as a free agent. However, it would have been ideal if they could have acquired DeRozan without losing a star.
Regretfully, The Godfather was unable to present the Heat with an irresistible offer.
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