The Miami Heat have struggled overall this season and at the NBA trade deadline, names like Reggie Jackson, Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, Thaddeus Young or Gerald Green could be potential options to give Dwyane Wade some support, while names like Luol Deng or Mario Chalmers could be targets for other teams if Miami looks at selling some assets.
Miami is still adjusting a bit to life without LeBron James and right now they are third in the southeast division. The team is in the playoffs in the east for now, but the team needs to pick things up and they could look at the trade deadline as a chance to do that. According to ESPN.com, the team explored a trade with Brook Lopez earlier in the season and they could pick up on that again closer to the trading deadline.
The Nets have been shopping Lopez and Deron Williams, but ESPN New York reports the team is unlikely to make a deal until after the All-Star break. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Miami is shopping Norris Cole in deals and the Cleveland Cavaliers could be an option to get him. Cleveland.com reports that the Cavs want some support behind Kyrie Irving and Cole could fit that role, as he has played with LeBron James already in Miami. Cole is an underrated guard and while he may not be starting material, he could be a strong bench option.
Marc Stein writes that the Miami Heat could be a sleeper option for Reggie Jackson if Norris Cole or Chalmers is traded, as they could look at signing him when he is a restricted free agent after the season. Jackson is being shopped by the Thunder and while the Denver Nuggets have been interested, the team has not been able to work out a deal yet for Jackson. Other names to keep an eye on include Roy Hibbert and Thaddeus Young, as both players have been mentioned by executives as players that could move at the deadline.
Lopez has played very well of late, averaging 25.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in the last three games while coming off of the bench. Lopez is shooting over 50 percent from the field and he said that he has felt healthy and has not dealt with foot pain after getting surgery last year. Lopez has the potential to be a great pickup for teams, as he is still a young player and he could be an option for contenders down the line at the deadline if the Nets trade him.
Miami comes into the week at 21-27 and they need to start playing better overall on offense and up front on defense. The team is ranked second in the league in points allowed per game, but they are 29th in scoring. The team could look at adding some wing help on the outside, but they are ranked 39th in rebounds per game and need some more big bodies up front. Hibbert, Greg Monroe or Lopez could be options for the team, as the east is still mostly wide open and they have the chance to still improve down the stretch.
