The Miami Heat reach the NBA Finals in 2022-23, despite losing to the Denver Nuggets in five games.
Fans expected the Heat to play even better in the 2023-24 NBA season and eventually lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the summer of 2024.
But to do that, the Heat need one more player to overcome the final hurdle.
As NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor wrote via Dru on Twitter, the Fever could target Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen to replace Kevin Love on the roster.
“That’s like a crazy good pick with him and Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. With Jaime Jaquez. That’s the size we could have in the frontcourt with Jimmy Butler,” O’Connor said.
There was a time when Love was undoubtedly one of the best players in the NBA, but those days are long behind the former fifth overall pick.
Now, Love is on the roster primarily to be a veteran in the locker room and help young stars develop under his tutelage.
However, if he is replaced by someone like Markkanen, it could help the Heat establish one of the best frontcourts in the entire NBA.
After all, Markkanen brings not only his height, but also an above-average three-point shot.
In the 2023-24 NBA season, Markkanen is averaging 23.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game in a Jazz jersey.
Unfortunately, the Jazz are currently bottom of the Western Conference.
On the other hand, the Heat are seventh in the Eastern Conference with 15-12 points.