NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players the Heat could trade away ahead of the trade deadline
The NBA trade deadline will close next week ahead of the annual NBA All-Star Event in North Carolina. The trade window has historically closed on the Thursday after the All-Star Game, however, since 2018, the deadline has closed 10 days before the NBA's best players face off in the prestigious game.
The deadline was moved forward in order to allow traded players to sort out arrangements for themselves and their families, and the NBA is unlikely to move the deadline back anytime soon. Nevertheless, the trade deadline is still one of the most exciting times for NBA fans, and the seven days are likely to provide a number of twists and turns.
The Miami Heat will be among the teams looking to make last minute deals, as the Heat are currently locked in an intense battle to claim one of the final Eastern Conference playoff places. Due to intense competition, the Heat are reportedly looking to add a number of players ahead of the deadline, and this means that departures are also likely. So, as we enter the final days of the trade window, here are three members of Miami's roster that could be traded away.
#3 Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic is currently on the sidelines with a knee injury, although the guard is expected to return after the All-Star break. The 32-year-old has been a regular starter during his four seasons in Miami, although the team has struggled to compete with Dragic at point guard, and before undergoing surgery earlier this season, Dragic was shooting just 41% from the field.
The Heat have Dragic locked in for the 2020 season, however, the Slovenian is set to earn nearly $20 million. There are evidently better guards around the league that are available on smaller deals, although the Heat will have trouble offloading the final year of Dragic's deal. Nevertheless, the Heat could put a trade package together that revolves around pairing Dragic with a player such as Wayne Ellington, so it will be interesting to see if the Heat can move the veteran on.