With the trade deadline on the horizon, the Miami Heat have come up in quite a few rumors. Will they land any of the names they’ve been linked to?
*Editor’s Note: According to reports, Andre Iguodala has since been traded to the Miami Heat in exchange for a package that at least sends Justise Winslow to Grizzlies
As the trade deadline approaches Thursday, the Miami Heat are in a unique position. Does Miami make a win-now move or do they make a minor move? Or, does Miami just stand pat at the deadline?
From what I can remember, this is one of the weirdest deadlines for Miami Heat, both fans and even players alike. This is so because all parties have really seemed to like this iteration of the team and therefore, don’t want to take a leap and possibly ruin the chemistry.
The question still remains though, can Miami get better if they make a move to try and improve the team? That is an answer that remains to be seen, however, here are some of the targets that they may be looking to deal for.
Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder is a versatile defender who fits Heat Culture. Although he hasn’t shot the ball great this year, he wouldn’t be asked to do a ton of contested shooting with Miami. If he could potentially come in, be physical, play his brand of defense, hit the boards, and make a few open triples, it could be a winning type move for the Heat.
Andre Iguodala
Andre Iguodala is another versatile defender who has a high basketball I.Q. He can also fill the Justise Winslow role as a ball-handler and playmaker. This is a weird call though. It is that way because I can only see the Miami Heat possibly acquiring him if they believe Justise might be done for the year.
Dewayne Dedmon
In years past, Dewayne Dedmon was known to be a stretch 5, but this year he has struggled from three. A career 34% shooter from distance, he has still shown the ability to be able to offer that same versatility that Meyers Leonard does from a big perspective, but with a higher penchant to hit the glass.
He would help Bam Adebayo the most with his ability to guard the best big. This would allow Adebayo to roam more and thus make more plays defensively.
Marcus Morris
Both Morris twins, Marcus and Markieff have this uncanny thing about them. They have the size, physical ability/stature, and nastiness to slot in as bigs, but they have the skillsets and overall floor games of wings.
It is for this reason that Marcus Morris would be the perfect fit next to Bam Adebayo. He is a 3 and D type guy, who could also slide down and guard fours and fives, while also helping out on the glass.
Jrue Holiday
I think all Heat fans would love to have Jrue Holiday in tow, but at what cost? It would be an awesome two-way guy to slot into a trio next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. His outside shooting would bother me though, but it wouldn’t be enough to keep me from doing the deal if the right circumstances came along.
Aron Baynes
Aron Baynes would be another great option for Miami to acquire. Baynes has shot the ball well from three this year at 33.3%, which would allow him to play heavy dosages of minutes alongside anybody in the Miami Heat frontcourt. He is also a very physical defender and rebounder who could definitely help the Heat in that area.
Danilo Gallinari
Could you imagine Danilo Gallinari next to Bam Adebayo? He would be another floor spacer and although I know he’s not a good defender, as long as he could give enough effort to become a good team defender like Kelly Olynyk has, then it’s only a plus. I would worry about his injury and availability though, which would be a massive worry to say the least.
The Miami Heat are in a very interesting situation. With the deadline hours away, time is a ticking, as they say. Perhaps Pat will surprise us.