The Miami Heat have continued to be one of the best teams in the eastern conference this season as they try to win a third straight championship, but with Dwyane Wade getting older and the Pacers playing great, the team has looked into the possibility of trades and some options could be names like Jordan Crawford, Dion Waiters, Brandon Rush, Carlos Delfino for Joel Anthony
According to ESPN.com, the Heat have looked into the possibility of trading for Boston Celtics guard Jordan Crawford and Waiters also could be an option after the Cavaliers started shopping him a few weeks ago. Waiters is an interesting fit and he could be solid for the Heat, while Crawford also fits the team and what it's trying to do and he could be a nice complimentary piece for LeBron James and with Wade getting older, he needs to cut his minutes to be fresh for the playoffs.
Crawford is averaging about 13.7 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.2 rebounds for the Celtics and that would be perfect for the Heat right now and their best trade chip is Anthony, who has a player option for next season and is getting paid just under $3.8 million and he could be moved in a deal for someone like Crawford or Waiters. The Heat have other options as well that could cost less in Rush and Delfino, as they could fit roles for the team as they push to try and catch the Indiana Pacers in the standings and they need to do that, as home court advantage could be the key to advancing in the postseason.
Greg Oden is a solid piece for Miami, but with him an unknown quantity this season, making a move could be smart for the Heat and he likely will not be a solid rotation player until after the All-Star game and that means the Heat can't sit still. Crawford has been playing well for the Celtics and the team is at the top of the division for the time being. Crawford even was named player of the week in the east with 23.3 points per game on 60 percent shooting and that could spark Miami to deal. Crawford could be a restricted free agent next season and that could mean a trade would keep him there for a year or two, but either way, Miami needs to pull something off to add some depth.
Waiters has had some very solid games for the Cavaliers and he could be a consistent scoring option for Miami and Rush could also be solid with the Utah Jazz playing terribly and looking to rebuild. Miami has won 18 games this season and has another matchup with the Pacers looming and if they lose that game, a trade could come in the following weeks.