The Miami Heat became the latest team not to learn from Sthe Oklahoma City Thunder.
Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo is a seismic move that has ripple effects throughout the league. The Heat instantly change the calculus of their team, doubling their true stars and landing one of the few players in the NBA capable of being the best player on a championship team.
Miami traded everything for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The cost was exorbitant, however. Miami gave up former All-Star guard Tyler Herro, three young players in Jaime Jaquez, Kel'el Ware and Kasparas Jakučionis, and five total draft assets, including two future first-round picks and the No. 13 pick in this year's draft.
The Heat will have a phenomenal frontcourt pairing in Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, with Adebayo's defensive versatility pairing with Antetokounmpo's rim protection, and with his floor-spacing ability pairing with the rim pressure of the Greek Freak.
After that, however, the Heat barely have enough players to fill out the starting lineup. Davion Mitchell will start at point guard. Pelle Larrson will be the sixth man. Miami has to figure out how to bring back Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell on contracts that will fit under the first luxury tax apron, as they are now hardcapped and cannot spend above it. The margin will be tight.
That means no money to add further depth. Who will be the backup center? Backup point guard? Who is going to shoot the basketball on this team? The Heat have their superstar, but they lack the depth to build a realistic contender around him.
Superstar trades don't work
That is hardly an anomaly throughout modern NBA history, either. Teams that push in their chips to trade for an NBA superstar almost always fall short. Kevin Durant didn't win in Houston last season or in Phoenix before that. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George never won anything on the LA Clippers. Damian Lillard didn't win with Giannis in Milwaukee. On and on.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best team in the league over the last three seasons, and they have done so by prioritizing draft assets and good contracts. They certainly struck gold by adding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as a part of the return for Paul George, but they mostly used skill over luck, and volume over one big swing.
They drafted Jalen Williams with the No. 12 pick and Cason Wallace at No. 10. They traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso without sending any other assets. They scooped up the likes of Ajay Mitchell and Aaron Wiggins late in the draft and claimed Isaiah Joe off waivers. Jared McCain was a buy-low trade pickup. Lu Dort, of course, was an undrafted player who turned into the All-Defensive heartbeat of the team.
Thunder have exceptional depth
The Thunder are up against the financial wall this summer, and they have the pieces in place to move off of multiple players and maintain their depth. Young players like Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber and Branden Carlson are waiting to step up into larger roles. Sam Presti has the No. 12 and 17 picks in tonight's draft to further build out the depth.
Oklahoma City has one championship to show for their approach, and more may be coming. They project once again as the best team in the NBA and the favorites to win the title. They do so with player after player stepping up, hand-selected and built up as necessary depth for a sustained contender.
The Miami Heat have Giannis Antetokounmpo. They have Bam Adebayo. And they have a recipe for a second-round exit. The Thunder have built a contender that can last, and they have done so by prioritizing depth, assets and smart contracts over big names and superstar swings.
And it's working for them.
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