SEVERAL reports suggest that last season’s finals runner-up will be making moves to have a stronger post-season run. It was mentioned that two players – advanced in age sports-wise – are on their radars and would involve giving up assets, which the team has.
The Miami Heat has one of the most attractive trade packages and they could use it if they intend on pursuing rumored targets LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyle Lowry.
As per reports, the San Antonio Spurs are engaged in talks with several teams for a potential trade for Aldridge, who had “mutually agreed” to part ways, and one of them is the Heat. Miami is offering Meyers Leonard, Avery Bradley, Maurice Harkless, and a draft pick to San Antonio in a trade package to match the salary of Aldridge.
The 2nd pick of the 2006 draft is making $24 million on the final year of his contract. The 35-year old big man is having one of his worst career productions this season with per-game averages of 13.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. He’s going to be an expensive one-year rental for Miami unless they find another team as a trade partner.
Lowry is also reportedly being eyed in South Beach. The Toronto Raptors reportedly were offered Kelly Olynyk, Kendrick Nunn, and Goran Dragic for the 34-year old, 6-time All-Star. Lowry has not shown any indication that he’ll leave the Raptors but there are talks among team executives that Toronto would like to give the reins to the 26-year old Fred VanVleet. As per one Eastern Conference coach, “Young guys can’t blossom unless you move on from Lowry because the pecking order is still set from the top. If you’re trying to reshape your roster, one thing you need to avoid is duplication.”
Miami, currently with a 22-18 record, sits 4th in the Eastern Conference standings and as of this writing, is on a four-game winning streak. The above-mentioned players are solid contributors to the team and their recent wins showed they had learned to close out games. Jimmy Butler is still the main man with Bam Adebayo, snipers Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson providing added firepower. Andre Igoudala is providing veteran leadership off the bench.
Heat rookie Precious Achiuwa could develop into a valuable big man which the team could use. He had shown decent numbers in 38 games (5.7 points, 3.8 rebounds) and with constant exposure, he could be the second coming of Hassan Whiteside. He’s going to be precious for Miami if they hold on to him.
Pat Riley is still the brains behind the team and let’s not be surprised if he’ll make some moves and the Heat again comes out of nowhere and does another run for the league title./PN
