Miami Heat Made Lauri Markkanen Trade Decision

The Miami Heat needed to make some statement moves this summer after failing to make it past the first round of the playoffs last season. Unfortunately, the franchise seems content to run it back.

The hope is that the Heat can avoid terrible luck with injuries this time. Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier missed that first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics last season.

At the same time though, it is hard not to feel that the Heat roster is weaker now than it was last season, thanks to the departure of Caleb Martin.

He has joined the Philadelphia 76ers this summer in free agency, after turning down a much bigger contract offer from the Heat.

The Heat were linked with some high-profile players this summer but ultimately, no significant addition was made to the roster.

Lauri Markkanen is one such player who was linked with a potential move to Miami this offseason, as the Utah Jazz were rumored to be open to the idea of parting ways with the 27-year-old.

But according to Brett Siegel on ClutchPoints , the Heat never strongly pursued Markkanen.

Someone like Markkanen could have strengthened this Heat roster. He was on a team-friendly contract and averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists for the Jazz last season while shooting 48% from the field and 39.9% from three-point range.

The Golden State Warriors were the team most heavily linked with Markkanen this summer, having said goodbye to Klay Thompson, but a move to the Bay Area did not transpire either.

Instead, the Jazz ended up handing Markkanen a big-money extension. Earlier in August, he signed a five-year deal worth $238 million.

Related: Brian Windhorst Warns Rest of NBA About Miami Heat Star