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Rumor: Miami Heat expected to explore Goran Dragic trade at deadline

By Wes Goldberg

Nov 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball around Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat the Sacramento Kings 108-96 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) dribbles the ball around Sacramento Kings center Kosta Koufos (41) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat the Sacramento Kings 108-96 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Heat are not ready to blow the team up, according to a report, but they might be willing to deal Goran Dragic at the NBA trade deadline.

The Miami Heat are 10 games below .500 at the time of writing this, but they aren’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. At least when it comes to a massive rebuild.

According to BasketballInsiders.com, teams around the NBA expect the Heat to make veteran point guard Goran Dragic available by February’s trade deadline, but they aren’t taking calls just yet.

"Miami’s Goran Dragic continues to surface as possibly the biggest fish to be had, but sources with the HEAT continue to say they are not ready to blow the team up; until that happens, Goran is not on the market. The prevailing belief outside of Miami is at the deadline, the HEAT will explore Dragic’s trade value in an effort to remove his salary from their books for a run through free agency this summer when Chris Bosh’s deal is expected to be off the books as well. Miami has kept no secret that they are rebuilding and would like to get a few more draft picks. HEAT sources said recently that keeping Dragic as the veteran leader wouldn’t be a bad thing, but conceded he might return a ton of value, which lines up with the league belief that the HEAT would explore moving him at or around the deadline."

Dragic is having his best season since his All-NBA 2013-14 campaign with the Phoenix Suns. He’s averaging 19.1 points, 6.7 assists–that’s nearly five points and an assist more than last season–and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent and 41 percent from three-point range.

His recent quality of play should be increasing his trade value, and for teams looking for immediate scoring and point guard help, Dragic should be an intriguing piece come February. Teams like the Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings and Denver Nuggets, who prefer to make the playoffs this season than spend another summer in the draft lottery, are logical destinations.

Pat Riley has made it clear he would like to add more draft picks, especially after trading two future firsts for Dragic two seasons ago. A deal netting a pick or two in return is probably what it would take to pry Dragic from the Heat. That is, if they are willing to part with point guard at all.

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