NBA Rumors: Miami Heat remain interested in acquiring Grant Williams' services
The Miami Heat are rumored to still have an interest in acquiring Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics. With Miami still on the lookout for a solid power forward, Williams could be just the right for the Heat at the moment.
The Miami Heat haven't been as successful as they were last season. With injury issues plaguing the side yet again, the Heat have struggled to close out games in most cases.
A major issue that has emerged for Miami is their lack of size. With Bam Adebayo playing as the team's starting center, it is evident that the Heat are playing with a significantly smaller lineup. While this has brought them great success in the past, this hasn't been the case for most of this season.
Regardless, Miami are still in a solid position. At sixth in the league, the Heat are in the playoff picture and are half a game ahead of the seventh-place New York Knicks. Given their title aspirations, however, Miami are far from being competitive.
In this regard, the Heat have been in search for trades to bolster their roster strength. Particularly at the power forward position.
Miami currently have Caleb Martin playing as their starting 4. Although Martin has proven himself to be fairly serviceable, he isn't necessarily shifting the needle for them in any way. This is undoubtedly because he is overcompensating by playing 4.
Thus, the Heat have had to pursue options via trade.
Several avenues have been opened up in this regard. With names such as Jae Crowder, Bojan Bogdanovic and Kyle Kuzma being included, Miami made their pursuit of a power forward known.
However, as per Miami Heat insider Greg Sylvander, the Heat are also interested in Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.
The Miami Heat continue to express interest in Grant Williams, per @GregSylvander https://t.co/khX0srM4cA
Miami has expressed an interest in acquiring a player with Williams' skillset for a while. As a strong forward with solid three-point shooting ability, Williams would fit right into Miami's system.
Additionally, given that Boston haven't been willing to offer the forward an extension, the Heat may have the assets to pry him away from the Celtics as well. But facilitating such a deal may be a bit of a task.
Can the Miami Heat land Grant Williams?
As mentioned earlier, the notion of the Miami Heat pursuing Grant Williams is valid and viable. However, facilitating a move for the same is a little more complicated.
The primary asset the Heat have included in every trade scenario has been Duncan Robinson. Considering Robinson's contract value paired with his on-court value, several teams have passed up on trade packages.
In this regard, Miami would have to get a little more creative in making a deal work out. A potential move could have Miami trading Gabe Vincent, Omer Yurtseven and a second-round pick for Williams. With minimal salary differentials, both teams could be satisfied.
However, such a move may not exactly shift the needle for the Miami Heat. In this regard, the team may be better off developing their rookie Nikola Jovic into a more potent stretch-4.