The Miami Heat may look at trade options at the NBA trading deadline, as names like Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson or Reggie Jackson could be potential pickups to give Dwyane Wade some support, as they have Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers as trade chips and this comes as the team has struggled a bit since LeBron James left for the Cavs.
Miami is just 21-29 on the season, but they are still in the mix in the eastern conference and have the chance to add some talent at the deadline. According to ESPN.com, Norris Cole is a prime trade option for teams, as he has not been getting as much playing time behind Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier. The Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets all could be interested in trading for Cole, as they are all in need of some guard support.
Marc Stein at ESPN wrote last week that the Heat could be looking to add a big up front, as they have had issues on defense and with rebounding this season. Names like Taj Gibson, Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer and Greg Monroe will be on the market along with David West and Roy Hibbert and those could be avenues to look at for Miami. The team has still not quite figured it out since LeBron left and now they could look at adding some talent at the deadline.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Taj Gibson has been getting some trade attention and with Miami last in the league in rebounding, they could look at adding him. Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer and David West could be cheaper options, while Roy Hibbert also is a possibility. Gibson is averaging 10 points and six rebounds this season and with Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol taking some of his minutes, the Bulls could look to make a deal.
Reggie Jackson comes in as a potential target for teams as well, as he is heading towards restricted free agency and could get moved. According to Marc Stein, the Thunder likely will trade Jackson if they think they can't sign him in the offseason. Jackson reportedly wants to start somewhere and reports had the Denver Nuggets interested in adding him. The Knicks also plan on targeting Jackson next summer on the free agent market if they miss on Goran Dragic.
Lance Stephenson could be a potential option for Miami as well, but it's not likely they trade for him. When Charlotte was shopping him earlier in the season, Michael Wilbon mentioned that Miami could be a good place for him, as he could be in a more veteran locker room. The team has struggled and they could use a shot of offense and adding a player like Stephenson could be a potential fit for Miami.
Earlier in the offseason the team signed Luol Deng in free agency and they had trying to fill out their bench with players like Eric Bledsoe, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Jordan Crawford, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, Chris Singleton and Ramon Sessions as options, but they ended up with a solid core, but now Josh McRoberts is out and they could use some more support for star Dwyane Wade this season.
