The Miami Heat are one of the many Eastern Conference teams on the edge of being real contenders in the playoffs. While the road to the NBA Finals goes through Cleveland, the Heat are hoping to pull off one big trade before the deadline. Right now, they have issues with the health of Chris Bosh who continues to face calf problems that need a second opinion, with Hassan Whiteside hitting free agency in the summer will the Heat look to make a deal?
According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily who is stirring the pot lately on NBA trades is reporting that the Heat have no plans on signing Whiteside to a max contract this summer. With that, they are looking to deal him at the deadline in order to capitalize on his value and not lose him for nothing in return. Isola then says that the Heat and the Houston Rockets have been in talks about swapping Whiteside for Dwight Howard, another player being shopped at the deadline. Howard will also be hitting the free agent market this offseason as he is expected to opt out of his player option.
The issue with this deal is that Miami would have to give up a lot to make this work because Whiteside and Howard are not close on the spectrum in terms of contracts. The chances this deal ends up getting complete are slim to none simply because the Heat would also have to include someone like Luol Deng in the move. They will not make that trade and instead will look elsewhere.
The Heat have been linked to everyone from Omri Casspi to Kyle Korver while some believe they could be in play on the Ben McLemore talks with the Sacramento Kings. The Heat want shooting help on the wings, but they appear only willing to give up names like Chris Andersen and Tyler Johnson. That is not going to get a meaningful trade done at the deadline and could force the Heat to stand.
Miami has big things on the horizon. According to the Miami Herald, they plan on being active in the pursuit for Kevin Durant. They also have to get a new deal done for Dwyane Wade. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Wade has no interest in waiting until free agency for a contract. He wants a deal done as soon as the season is over if not before which will put pressure on the Heat.
