Miami Heat: 20 helpful players the Heat could trade for by the deadline

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: The Miami Heat huddle prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 28: The Miami Heat huddle prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Arena on December 28, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 19: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on January 19, 2017 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JANUARY 19: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat on January 19, 2017 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Wesley Matthews, Dallas Mavericks

If Miami is unable to package a deal with Dennis Smith Jr. and Wesley Matthews, just grabbing Matthews might not be the worst idea to shed some future cap.

Whether its sending Tyler Johnson, James Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Hassan Whiteside, or even Dion Waiters, moving any of those guys would free up cap space in the near future. The expiring contract of Matthews is actually a fairly attractive asset for Miami as they will be capped out fairly soon.

And while Matthews is just another Wayne Ellington, the Heat are attempting to move Ellington anyways, so the move just makes a lot of sense if Miami is willing to get some future picks for Ellington’s sharpshooting talents.

As for what else Matthews brings to the table, he is another savvy veteran that could play some key playoff minutes down-the-stretch if Miami can enter the postseason this year. You can’t have enough of those guys, and if you think he is literally another Ellington, his defense separates himself from the other 3-point shooting wings around the league.

Matthews is notably one of the more intense perimeter defenders and he shouldn’t be forgotten when going through this list.