The NBA trade deadline has officially come and gone, but that does not mean a few players will not keep moving around in the coming weeks. While teams cannot make trades anymore, contracts can be bought out before the deadline. The Miami Heat are familiar with this process. They bought out the contract of Chris Andersen last season and are possibly looking to do the same this year.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Heat are targeting newly traded Danny Granger who was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Evan Turner at the deadline. If the 76ers agree to buyout Granger's contract, the Heat are the top team targeted to land the forward. Granger is in the final year of his deal that will pay him over $14 million this season. The forward will be a free agent no matter and will test the market, but joining the Heat would give him a chance to regain the status he once had as a productive player.
The Heat have a roster spot to fill after the deadline. The team traded away Roger Mason Jr. to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for cash and a protected second-round draft pick. It was assumed that if the Heat did not make a deal at the deadline, they would target a free agent to help with the second-half of the season. Granger is a solid option.
While his stats have been down in recent years, he has all the making of an impact player when in the right situation. The forward is playing just 22.5 minutes per game while putting up 8.3 points and 3.6 assists a night. He would help the shooting effort for Miami while also representing size for the team.
The Heat will be patient when it comes to buyouts. The team intends on keeping an eye on three players with Granger being one. Another option could be Glen Davis. He has agreed to a buyout with the Orlando Magic, making him free to sign elsewhere. Yahoo Sports reports that the Heat could be in play for the forward. He is averaging 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds a game.
The Heat are playing this trading period exactly like they did last season and it worked out pretty well for them. Considering the 76ers have no intentions of competing this season after trading away assets at the deadline, Miami could benefit in the end.
