NEWS UPDATE: Blockbuster Deal for Brandon Ingram from the Miami Heat is expected to be agreed as soon as possible
The Miami Heat are trying to arrest a rough start to the 2023–24 NBA season. After going 1-4 in their opening five games, the Heat have pulled it back to.500 after eight games. The top of the East is looking solid, with the Philadelphia 76ers having joined the favorites, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, in the title race. The Heat have admittedly fallen behind, with one of the worst offenses in the league and a streaky roster.
The Pelicans have done the opposite of what the Heat have done, starting the season 4-1, and have since fallen to the same record as the Heat at 4-4. Even though they have looked strong with Zion Williamson healthy, CJ McCollum’s lung issues have affected their momentum. There are still issues with what the team can achieve in its current form, given how injuries seem to ruin every season. The Pelicans may be better off with a soft reboot of their core to surround Williamson with a young guard instead of a post
The Pelicans load up on rotational depth and acquire a future pick with a high-potential young prospect to part with Ingram, who’s had a decent start to the season. This would transform both teams and give them a chance to shake it up for a challenging season.
The Pelicans have been trying to make a frontcourt duo of Zion and Ingram work for four seasons, and health from either side hasn’t permitted that. Zion’s potential remains sky-high, while it seems we have seen the best Ingram can do. He’s an All-Star-caliber forward but isn’t going to be the piece leading them to a title. As a result, the Pels can trade in his talent for the proven guard play of Tyler Herro.
Herro may be hated for his persona, but his on-court production for the Heat has been unquestionable. He’s their offensive leader and can play in whatever offensive role he’s needed, whether it’s on or off the ball. He’s shown his playmaking chops this season, averaging 22.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists as the lead ball-handler on the Heat. His momentum has been scuppered by an ankle injury, but Herro has shown he has a lot of room for development while also being a high-level starter in the NBA right now
Caleb Martin gives the Pelicans additional frontcourt depth, especially with the loss of Ingram. This move would open up a bigger role for Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, but Martin is a proven 3-and-D forward who could fit into any team that wants to contend. Nikola Jovic is young and has high potential, something the Pelicans could benefit from with this younger and slightly altered timeline with Herro and Zion.
