Trade Deadline Marathon: Here Come the Heat

Heat receive: F Aaron Gordon

Magic Receive: F Andre Iguodala, G Kendrick Nunn, 2025 1st round pick (Top-3 protected)

Why the Heat would do it:

Miami really took its lumps early on this season. Now back to relative full-health, the Heat are rolling.

We know this team is exceptionally well-coached, gritty, and dangerous. Though they might not have the glam of some of the bonafide contenders in the East, this figures to be a club that will be an exceptionally tough out come the postseason. Adding Aaron Gordon to the mix would certainly make things all the more interesting in South Beach.

Gordon is a reasonable deep threat, a good rebounder, and an athletic dynamo. In Miami’s zone defense his 7’0” wingspan would complement Bam Adebayo quite well. On offense, he’d give the Heat a chance to really stretch opponents thin.

Miami gave the Lakers a good fight in the Finals last season. Why not add a little fuel to the fire and run it back this year?

Why the Magic would do it:

Orlando needs to get serious here. Aaron Gordon has been an exciting but ineffective star in a Magic uniform. The team has plenty of interesting young players - specifically in the frontcourt - and it’s time to give them some real run.

The Magic, too, have been bitten hard by the injury bug, and appear firmly out of the playoff race. The club should get a jump on next season by selling off parts.

Recent reporting indicates the Magic have a high asking price for Aaron Gordon. Fair enough. This deal brings back a nice point guard and his Bird Rights and a future first-round pick. (Iguodala’s salary, meanwhile, could be helpful in future deals.)

Orlando might be just a few hours up the Florida Turnpike from Miami, but it just isn’t the same free agency destination. The Magic need to get smart here and prepare for the future.

Make your own hypotheticals at tradenba.com