Why They Do This*

Miami Heat

• If Butler wants out, get him out. His preferred destination list that's been floating around is a bit limited, so to me GSW seems to have the right mix of young/affordable/expiring contracts Miami can play around with.

• Trading away Herro is more of a fit/culture move. In stretches where he has had to be the number one option, the Heat have struggled to get anything going on a consistent basis. Building around Bam, and taking a couple swings on guys like Kuminga, Black, and Isaac could benefit their long term options.

• Adding Wiggins and the two 1sts are the short term moves. Wiggins is productive enough to provide reliable scoring numbers (who cares about efficiency amiright), while the picks give them the ability to add high level players each of the next two seasons for cheap.

Golden State Warriors

• Sad to say, but this may be it for their championship window. Going all in on trying to be competitive in the West over the next 2 seasons while Curry is still at an all-star level should be a hair-on-fire situation for their front office.

• Kuminga hasn't panned out as the prospect many were expecting. He's shown flashes, but not enough to prove he can be "the guy" once the Curry era ends. Similarly, Wiggins has been solid in his GSW tenure, but hasn't shown he can lead the team consistently.

• Butler adds a level of intensity that is unrivaled by most players in the league. He's fine taking a secondary offensive role which is crucial given Curry's playstyle, AND he's still a top wing defender in the league.

Orlando Magic

• Orlando desperately needs creativity and shooting from the guard position. Suggs/KCP are decent catch-and-shoot threats, but neither are particularly reliable as "table-setters" for the offense. Neither are great at creating their own shots (there are much worse, but still not elite).

• Herro can slide right into the starting-5 along side Suggs as the lead guard. He's much more comfortable on the ball and will open up the paint for Paolo & Franz when they return from injury. A career 39% 3-pt shooter would automatically make him the team's 2nd best floor spacer.

• The Magic retain their own 1sts, while giving up two 1sts to the Heat to facilitate the trade. Looney would most likely be a trade & waive player given the Magic's depth at Center, but GSW needs to cut salary in order to get Butler since they're an 1st-Apron team

*Yes this trade needs to wait until January 6th due to Isaac's recently signed restriction