The Miami Heat just wrapped up their second game of the preseason, and they were able to get a first-hand look at some potential trade targets for later in the season. The New Orleans Pelicans may end up being a seller at this year’s deadline, and guys like Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Saddiq Bey could potentially be intriguing targets for the Heat to go after.
This season, the Heat have championship aspirations. In a way, anything less would be a disappointment. That’s the position they put themselves in when they decided to trade for a guy like Giannis Antetokounmpo. It’s a good position. They should have a chance to win. But trading for a guy like Murphy, Jones, or Bey could help them get over that hump.
GMs around the league definitely keep track of guys who play well against them, so squaring off against the Pelicans may have been Miami’s perfect opportunity to take a look at some midseason trade targets.
Heat got close look at Pelicans trade targets in preseason
Murphy would obviously be the biggest steal for the Heat if they managed to get their hands on him. He’s the type of guy who could blossom into an All-Star one day in the right situation.
He shot just 3-of-8 from the field and 2-of-6 from deep on Thursday against the Heat, but his talent has already been well-documented. Imagine putting his shooting and shot creation next to Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
It would look great. His scoring would give the Heat a much-needed boost on the offensive end, and if the Pelicans end up entertaining offers, Miami should definitely be interested.
Then, there’s Jones. He wouldn’t do much for the Heat on offense, but adding him to the rotation could cement them as one of the best defenses in the entire league.
Jones is a monster on the defensive end. He’s one of the best wing defenders in the league. A lineup of Davion Mitchell, Jones, Andrew Wiggins, Antetokounmpo, and Adebayo would be insane.
Lastly, Bey would probably be the least intriguing of the three options, but also perhaps the most attainable. He’s a sparkplug scorer who can shoot the ball relatively well from deep, too.
If the Heat were able to trade for any of those three guys at this year’s trade deadline, it would provide them with some elite wing depth capable of helping them make a deep playoff run.
And it just so happens that they were able to get a close look at them in the preseason.
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