The point guard position is taking the spotlight just weeks before the NBA trade deadline. Teams are looking for depth at the spot while several teams need to replace starters who have been lost to injuries. Teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks are looking to be sellers at the deadline while the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets need to replace Brandon Jennings and Kemba Walker.
The Miami Heat are looking to be sellers at the deadline. According to David Mayo of MLive.com, the Detroit Pistons are seeking a deal for Norris Cole before the deadline in order to replace Jennings who went down with a torn Achilles. The Pistons are reportedly looking for someone that is a solid option as a starter or off the bench while also having a short-term contract that can be evaluated at the end of the season. Cole fits those options. The Heat do not necessarily need Cole considering they have Shabazz Napier on the roster.
The Pistons brought on John Lucas III while DJ Augustin seems to be doing well at the starting job which means the trade for Cole is not likely to happen. However, if the Heat are set on getting rid of the backup point guard, they could easily trade and shop him to the Charlotte Hornets who need help after Walker was lost for at least the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury. The Heat have been interested in Lance Stephenson, but would need to sweeten the deal with Cole in order to make the salaries match. That could end trade talks pretty quickly.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking for depth behind Kyrie Irving, the only glaring need for the team at this point. If Irving were to get injured, the Cavaliers' season would be over due to the lack of talent behind the starter. According to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports, Pablo Prigioni is a target for the team, but Cole could also be looked at if he is relatively cheap.
According to Wall Street Journal's Chris Herring, the Heat are looking at a trade for Prigioni at the deadline regardless of what happens with Cole considering he is shooting under 39 percent right now. The New York Knicks are desperate to move Prigioni at the deadline and could sell the point guard for cheap. Point guards are on the move as several names rotate the rumormill at the deadline. Who stays and who goes?
