Miami Heat – FTX Arena Empty After Game — Courtesy: Shutterstock — Tiago Pestana
Veteran forward Kyle Anderson was not originally expected to join the Miami Heat. For around sixteen hours, Anderson was aware that he was being traded for Jimmy Butler, but he was unsure of which team he would end up with.
Anderson was headed to the Toronto Raptors as part of the original Butler trade that was agreed upon on the evening of February 5. But after starting the season with the Golden State Warriors, that aspect of the agreement swiftly fell through, leaving Anderson in a precarious situation.
Anderson stated, “I heard Detroit and Toronto on the day of the trade, and then I just kind of shut everything off and told my agent, ‘Call me in the morning and let me know what team we’re going to.'”
While he awaited the location of his next NBA home, Anderson had one crucial requirement.
Anderson remarked, “I just wanted to make sure I was going somewhere where I’m appreciated and wanted.” “I didn’t want to go somewhere where I wouldn’t be welcomed at the front desk. So, yes, I simply wanted to take care of that.
Anderson was told by his agent that he would be joining the Heat as part of the five-team Butler trade the following morning, February 6, the day of the NBA trade deadline. In exchange for Butler, the Heat obtained Davion Mitchell from the Raptors, Andrew Wiggins, Anderson, and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round selection from the Warriors.
Heat management made sure Anderson knew they wanted him and appreciated his skills. To convey that message, Erik Spoelstra, the coach, and Pat Riley, the president of the Heat, called Anderson.
Anderson remarked, “That meant a lot,” prior to the Heat’s Wednesday night homestand opener against the Atlanta Hawks at Kaseya Center. They wanted to let me know that they were glad to have me. I only needed to hear that. I didn’t want to go somewhere that didn’t truly need me.
The Heat also need the 31-year-old Anderson right now.
Anderson is one of the best candidates to take Nikola Jovic’s place in the Heat’s bench rotation following Jovic’s hand injury.
“Kyle has long been a successful player in this league,” Spoelstra stated. He has been a part of many successful teams. I believe there’s a valid explanation for that. He is a special player. Therefore, he is not the kind of player who fits into a conventional box. He is quite unconventional. But he has a wide range of skills. That’s what interests me about it. He can guard several places and do a lot of things defensively. However, I believe this squad may benefit offensively from his handling skills, game intelligence, and ability to facilitate play for other players.
The Heat lost to the Hawks 98-86 at State Farm Arena on Monday, and Anderson filled the majority of Jovic’s minutes without him for the first time since he broke his shooting hand.
Anderson finished Monday’s loss with 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 28 minutes. He has two more seasons left on his contract after this one. Anderson had played the most minutes in his first five games with the Heat since being traded to Miami.
Anderson, who is known as “Slow-Mo” due to his slow tempo, stated, “I feel like I can do a lot on the floor.” Wiggs, Tyler [Herro], and Duncan [Robinson] are just a few of the many players who can score points for us. Thus, I’ve always played the game of “facilitating,” “being aggressive,” and “making plays, making plays on the defensive end.”
Over the course of his 11 NBA seasons, Anderson has played for five different teams, indicating his professional mobility. However, Anderson’s trade to the Heat was the first time he had switched teams in the middle of a season.
Anderson has had to make that mid-season adjustment by himself because his wife and 5-year-old kid are staying in California until the conclusion of the school year.
Regarding the chaos that has ensued after the trade to the Heat, Anderson remarked, “It was a big one.” “I got traded because I underestimated it.” I applaud anyone in this league who has been traded more than once. I had a lot going on during my time at Golden State, including being traded to a different team, being away from my family, and being by myself. Even though it has only been a few days and Miami is undoubtedly a fantastic city, you are nevertheless affected in some way.
REPORT OF INJURIES
For Wednesday’s home game against the Hawks, the Heat designated three-time All-Star center Bam Adebayo as questionable due to a right calf contusion. He has only missed two games this season, one against the Dallas Mavericks on February 13 due to a left knee contusion and the other against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 13 due to a lower back bruise.
When asked if he anticipates playing Wednesday night against the Hawks, Adebayo responded, “I don’t know,” following Wednesday’s morning shootaround. “I detest being asked if I’m currently playing a game. Therefore, we will work it out and see what happens.
The Heat also listed Andrew Wiggins (jaw contusion) and Kel’el Ware (left ankle soreness) as probable for Wednesday’s game.
Josh Christopher (G League), Keshad Johnson (G League), Isaiah Stevens (G League), Jovic (broken right hand), and Dru Smith (Achilles surgery) were all ruled out by the Heat.
Against the Heat, the Hawks will be without Larry Nance Jr. (right medial femoral condyle fracture), Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture), Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery), Jalen Johnson (left shoulder surgery), and Daeqwon Plowden (G League).
Trae Young was designated as probable by Atlanta due to right Achilles tendonitis.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.