The Miami Heat are reportedly trying to find a way to not just close the deal on a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but they're also attempting to acquire Ja Morant while they're at it.
According to one New York Knicks writer, that is what he's heard about what Miami is attempting to pull off by the deadline. Honestly, this is not exactly all that surprising. If you can read the tea leaves, this was always a possibility that the Heat could be exploring.
Miami is generally aggressive in its pursuits and aspirations. They've been before. And they will likely be again in the future. However, what they haven't been able to do too many times is actually pull off the move. For Miami, that's what this trade deadline will be all about.
Heat need to land a star - now
It's not whether they are interested in the stars or whether they have the desire to pull off a move. No, it's whether they can actually do it or not.
Because right now, there isn't much faith that they can. And that's been this front office's biggest problem over the last few years.
But the recent narrative has been that the Heat has been building to this moment. Morant aside, it's about Giannis. If they find a way to add Morant in addition to Giannis, great. But there's no question that they NEED to find a way to land Giannis.
If he's traded, and it isn't to the Heat, this trade deadline is going to be remembered as a failure. Even if the backup plan is Morant, it's going to be difficult to change the tune of the fan base if they miss out on Giannis.
Fair or not, this franchise has always gone for the big fish. Missing out on Giannis under these circumstances would be disastrous for their future.
The Heat finds itself in one of those rare situations that they don't just need to strike a big move at the trade deadline to improve its product on the floor, but it may need to pull off the unthinkable because this fan base is reeling and needs some hope to cling to.
Should the Heat be aiming for the stars in targeting both Giannis and Morant? Sure? Could they pull it off? I suppose so.
However, the Heat just needs to do something. Heat culture is stale and desperately needs a shake-up. This NBA Trade Deadline could very much provide that for Miami. They just need to seal the deal and get something done in the next two days.