The Dallas Mavericks are expected to at least explore Anthony Davis' Market ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. Assuming that is accurate, it will naturally put another superstar on the Miami Heat's radar. Or at least it should.
Of course, the question is, will the front office consider AD the right superstar target to go all-in on? And whether the trade deadline is the right - or ideal - time to do so.
Sure, there are questions about whether the Heat has the right assets the Mavs would be looking for in return, but for a moment, let's just look at AD, as a talent, in a vacuum. After all, before we start discussing assets and trade packages, we have to decipher whether the Heat would be interested in the first place.
In theory, the Heat's philosophy over the decades has always been to get the talent (or superstar) and figure out a fit (and the rest) later. It was a clear decision when they acquired LeBron James, and the same for Jimmy Butler. On both occasions, for the most part, the Heat's decision to go all-in on both players, despite the somewhat wonky basketball fits, worked out.
The concerns for an Anthony Davis all-out pursuit
Could AD be the next in the line of supertars that deliver greatness to the Heat? Well, the AD possibility is slightly more complicated.
The injuries have to be a concern.
Since being traded to the Mavs, AD has only played in 12 of 43 eligible regular-season games. That's not ideal, and certainly has to be a warning to any team interested in the possibility of trading for AD.
The hope is that his return to the floor for the Mavs is close, but, especially for a team like the Heat, they must exercise extreme caution if they're planning on exploring a trade for AD.
From a talent perspective, there's an easy reason to believe that AD would be an upgrade for the Heat. Even more so considering how much they've struggled in the paint, especially on the defensive end of the floor.
AD is an elite frontcourt player on both ends of the floor, and is in the argument for best big in the NBA when he's healthy.
The problem is, AD is not one of those players that you can count on when it comes to durability. And if the Heat believes they can, trusting their own training staff, there's still no question that it's going to be a risk.
But despite all that, because of the level of talent AD represents, the Heat's front office has to at least discuss this possibility.
And whether the Heat genuinely explores this possibility or not over the next few months, there's no question that another superstar has to be on their radar.