Miami Heat fans might welcome the idea of trading guard Terry Rozier this offseason, as his performance has fallen short of expectations.

In 57 appearances, Rozier is averaging 11.5 points and 2.7 assists on 40.1 percent shooting, while his defense has been underwhelming.

As a result, the Heat could explore a trade with the Washington Wizards to acquire former Boston Celtics guard and Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.

This potential move was highlighted by Bleacher Report, which listed Smart as a possible trade target for the Heat.

“Assuming the team continues to build around Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, the Heat needs shooting and help at point guard. [Davion] Mitchell may be retained, but he may be best suited as a reserve,” B/R’s Eric Pincus wrote. “Duncan Robinson is expected to opt into his final year, roughly half-guaranteed. The Heat could go younger or look to cash out prospects like Jaquez and Nikola Jović to win with Herro and Adebayo.”

While the Wizards are unlikely to accept a straight swap of Smart for Rozier, Miami could sweeten the deal by including draft capital and possibly a young player.

Rozier’s contract expires after the 2026 season, meaning he would only remain in Washington for a year unless the team opts for a cheaper extension.

Pairing Smart with Herro in the backcourt would create a more balanced combination of offense and defense, addressing some of the Heat’s current weaknesses.

This proposed trade could be a strategic move for Miami as they look to strengthen their roster and maximize their potential around Herro and Adebayo.

The Washington Wizards are heading into one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory as they continue their rebuild from the ground up.

However, their recent winning streak could jeopardize their long-term future.

Lack of a True Franchise Cornerstone

At the heart of the Wizards’ struggles is the absence of a true franchise player to build around.

Last year, they selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, hoping he would become a key piece for the future.

Unfortunately, Sarr has yet to meet expectations, struggling in Summer League and failing to capitalize on his strengths during his rookie season.

While it’s too early to completely write him off, there are growing concerns that Washington may have drafted a role player rather than a star.

Despite this, the basketball gods have seemingly given Washington another chance. They currently hold the worst record in the NBA, putting them in prime position to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

However, if they aren’t careful, they could lose their grip on the top selection.

Winning at the Wrong Time

While winning is always enjoyable, the Wizards are picking the worst possible time to go on a hot streak.

They’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, including wins against the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons two teams also in contention for the top pick.

With highly-touted prospects like Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey available, and the possibility of Cooper Flagg declaring, securing the No. 1 pick should be Washington’s priority.

However, their recent victories have tightened the race for the league’s worst record.

The Utah Jazz, now just half a game behind Washington, could leapfrog them in the standings.

If Utah were to land the top pick, the prospect of playing for Danny Ainge a Boston Celtics legend and respected executive might entice Flagg to declare, potentially costing Washington a generational talent.

A Chance to Correct Course

As the regular season winds down, the Wizards must decide whether they are truly committed to the rebuild.

Winning meaningless games now could derail their entire offseason strategy before it even begins.

They have a chance to get back on track with an upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets a team that will likely expose their flaws. If Washington is serious about its future, they must prioritize draft positioning over short-term success.

The Denver Nuggets secured a crucial road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a high-stakes battle featuring two of the NBA’s top MVP contenders.

Nikola Jokic once again showcased his dominance, delivering an effortless yet staggering 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist performance to outduel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in making his case for Jokic in the MVP conversation.

“If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs and I put Player A and Player B on paper, and you had no idea that the guy that’s averaging a triple-double, the guy who’s top-three in the three major statistical categories things that no one’s ever done he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10,” Malone said.

Then, with added emphasis, he continued: “And if you don’t think so, then I think you guys are all full of s—.”

Despite Jokic’s brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award.

However, Malone was quick to praise the Thunder star, acknowledging his greatness while also standing firmly behind his own player.

With a significant portion of the season still to play, Jokic and the Nuggets have a chance to maintain their momentum.

If they continue their red-hot form, voters may reconsider and ultimately decide that the Serbian big man deserves a fourth MVP instead of crowning a new face.