MIAMI _ The myth of the NBA is that Dec. 15 is the formal start of the trading period.
The logic goes that since that is the first date players signed in the offseason can be dealt, it expands the permutations and lubricates the process.
It certainly is a process that could use some greasing: The NBA's most recent deal came on July 16, when the Houston Rockets finalized the trade of Chris Paul to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook. In the five months since? Crickets.
Only Dec. 15 as a trigger date simply has not been the case in recent seasons and next weekend might well preserve the status quo until some time closer to the Feb. 6 trading deadline.
Last season, the only trade in the immediate wake of Dec. 15 was the Dec. 17 deal that sent Trevor Ariza from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns for Austin Rivers and Kelly Oubre. Little of consequence followed until the New York Knicks shipped center Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 31.
The year before, the first trade after Dec. 15, 2017, did not come until Jan. 29, when the Los Angeles Clippers pulled the blockbuster that sent Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.
Taken further, in 2016 there was not a single trade between Nov. 1 and Jan. 6.
And in 2015, the only trade between Nov. 10 and Jan. 12 was the middling Dec. 24 deal that sent Ish Smith from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Philadelphia 76ers for a pair of second-round picks.
In other words, Dec. 15 is not exactly Christmas in the NBA.
Then there is the Heat's parallel patient approach.
For all the dealing Pat Riley has done over his two-plus decades with the Heat, and even dating to the inception of the franchise 32 years ago, the Heat have never made a trade in December.
Ever.
Last season, Riley and the Heat waited until the Feb. 7 trading deadline, when there was the luxury-tax dump of Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington.
As it is, Jimmy Butler is the lone player on the Heat roster impacted by next weekend. Dec. 15 is the first date he can be dealt (he won't). He has a 15-percent trade kicker to further mitigate the possibility (which isn't a possibility).
Otherwise, every other player on the roster already has been trade eligible, although forward Udonis Haslem, because of his one-year contract and Bird Rights, has the ability to veto any deal.
As to what could be in play for the Heat in upcoming weeks, there are a few considerations.
Dion Waiters, James Johnson: The barking has been limited from the doghouse, but the Heat gladly would offload either or both. The question becomes the degree of sweetener they would be willing to offer. As it is, both contracts expire before the 2021 offseason, the next time the Heat are expected to require cap space.
Kelly Olynyk: Olynyk has the ability after the season to opt out of the $13.2 million final season on his contract and become a free agent in July. A deal before the trading deadline could net the Heat something tangible in return. It could come down to how essential he is viewed in the rotation.
Meyers Leonard: Earning $11.3 million in the final season on his contract, Leonard could be swapped for a player earning less on the final year of a contract in order for the Heat to escape the luxury tax. Again, it could hinge on how vital he is viewed for 2019-20 success.
Goran Dragic: Also on an expiring contract, at $19.2 million, Dragic could be flipped for a future asset if the Heat believe they otherwise would lose him in free agency. That could make these upcoming games with Dragic sidelined with his groin injury as a test run.
Derrick Jones Jr.: This could come down to what the Heat do with Chris Silva. If Silva is, as expected, converted to a low-cost, long-term contract from his two-way deal, it could make Jones expendable in advance of his 2020 free agency, with the Heat unlikely to make a significant offer. If dealt, Jones would be accompanied by his Bird Rights, which could prove incentivizing for a pursuer.
Justise Winslow: At $13 million each of the next three seasons, with a team option for 2021-22, he stands with one of the more attractive contracts on the roster, potentially making him the ultimate sweetener in a trade. Unless, of course, the Heat view him as indispensable.
