This proposed trade sends Paul George to the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat have clearly been in the hunt for another star-level player to put next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The team has made two Finals in the last four years, but they clearly need another piece on the roster to win a championship.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are a team that needs to shake things up. The Kawhi Leonard-Paul George tandem has not worked out for them thus far, largely due to the poor durability of both stars.

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Perhaps the two teams could make a trade that will help both change things up and get closer to competing for a championship. This trade scenario sends Paul George to the Miami Heat, in exchange for a Tyler Herro-centered package.

Miami Heat Receive: Paul George

Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, 2026 First-Round Pick (MIA)

There is no doubt that there are reasons for both the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers to make this deal. Here is why this deal should be considered by both teams’ front offices.

The Miami Heat Get An Elite Two-Way Player And Their Third Star

Paul George has injury issues, but when he is on the court, there is no doubting his ability on both ends of the floor. He is a versatile forward, who provides three-level scoring, ballhandling, and defense, and George is clearly one of the best wing players in the league. He is the sort of difference-maker that the Miami Heat desperately need in their pursuit of a championship.

This past season, Paul George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game for the Los Angeles Clippers, while shooting 45.7% from the field and 37.1% from the 3PT range. In theory, he is the perfect fit with the Miami Heat. He would have no pressure to be the No.1 option on the Heat, and he would be able to play with other durable players who can help the Heat withstand any potential absence due to injuries. The offense and shot creation he provides would be extremely valuable for them: he is clearly a much better player than Tyler Herro and is All-NBA caliber at his best.

The risk for the Miami Heat, of course, is the potential of Paul George leaving at the end of the 2023-24 season. He has a $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season, and he could end up declining it to secure a long-term deal from a franchise with cap space. Even though he is in the latter stages of his career, he is still the sort of player that a lot of teams would be willing to sign. However, it is quite possible that Paul George would be willing to stay with the Miami Heat, as they are a competitive team, with a good culture. They have also shown a willingness to pay older stars as well, as evidenced by their signing of Kyle Lowry in 2020.

In many ways, Paul George is the answer for the Miami Heat. Ultimately, they are a franchise that has a winning history, and perhaps we’ll see George help them win a championship in the future.

Tyler Herro And Duncan Robinson Provide The Los Angeles Clippers With Availability

Paul George only played 56 games for the Los Angeles Clippers and has not played 60 games since the 2018-19 season. He also missed the playoffs due to a sprained knee. There is no doubt that this is a concerning trend for the Los Angeles Clippers, and the right move could be to trade George while he still has value. This trade from the Miami Heat would see the Clippers get a number of pieces that can still help them compete for a championship within the Kawhi Leonard timeline.

Tyler Herro isn’t quite an All-Star-level player, but there’s no doubt that he is a quality shooting guard that can score fairly well. This past season with the Miami Heat, Tyler Herro averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 37.8% from 3PT range. He would give the team a good starter at the shooting guard position, and perhaps an expanded role on the Los Angeles Clippers will help him spread his wings and become a star.

Duncan Robinson is one of the top 3PT shooters in the league when he is playing his best basketball. He was particularly effective in the playoffs for the Miami Heat, averaging 9.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 44.2% from the 3PT range. Adding a role player who can deliver on the biggest stage is a boon for any championship team, and the Clippers will be contenders as long as Kawhi Leonard is healthy and on the roster.

On top of the player component of this deal, the Los Angeles Clippers would also receive a first-round pick. The Clippers have limited picks as of right now, and adding more draft picks gives them more flexibility both immediately and in the future.

If the Los Angeles Clippers are truly concerned about Paul George’s health, then it is quite possible they will explore trades to alter the roster. This would give them a solid return, and allow them to maintain their status as a competitive team.

This Could Be A Good Trade From A Basketball Perspective

There is no doubt that this trade makes sense for both teams from a basketball perspective. The Los Angeles Clippers would be moving an injury-prone veteran star, getting younger, and adding reliable contributors. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat would be taking a risk on one of the best two-way players in the league, and trying to win a championship.

We will see whether the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat end up making a trade with this framework in the future. This could work given both teams’ current situations, and perhaps they can start trade talks at some point before the start of the season.