Despite an avalanche of health issues, the Miami Heat are off to a terrific 24-15 start and look like a contender in the Eastern Conference. The offseason addition of Kyle Lowry has worked wonders, bringing another veteran with toughness and leadership to this well-coached roster already featuring stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, though those stars have been a major part of those health woes.
A healthy Heat team will be a really tough out in the playoffs, but there's always room for improvement. With an ever-present legend in Pat Riley at the helm, nobody can fully forget the Heat when it comes to being active on the trade market. Thus, here are two players the Heat must pursue at the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.
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Miami Heat 2022 NBA Trade Deadline targets
With all their health problems, the Heat could really use more beef inside. Bam Adebayo remains out with a thumb injury, while Dewayne Dedmon is currently dealing with a knee issue. Youngster Omer Yurtseven is getting major minutes right now in the middle, and while he has had a good stretch, questions will be asked about his ability to keep this up.
Miami could look to bring in somebody like DeMarcus Cousins, who was just waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. Or perhaps they look to Los Angeles, where the Lakers are looking to move off DeAndre Jordan.
The veteran big man is nowhere near what he once was with the Los Angeles Clippers, but with the infrastructure the Heat have, perhaps they could be the perfect spot for a career renaissance. Miami wouldn't need him to be a major impact player, but a guy who could fill in for the time being while also providing some depth. Even with his poor season, Jordan would still help the Heat with shot blocking and rebounding.
Financially, Jordan is on a minimum deal and would pose little risk for the Florida franchise. Miami may even be able to get an asset out of the Lakers in order to take on Jordan. If he could hold the fort down until Adebayo is ready to come back and then step up when his veteran leadership is needed, Jordan could be a nice piece.
You never know what the Sacramento Kings will do. The Kings have a logjam in the backcourt with De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Davion Mitchell, and they'll likely look to break that up in the near future. While all indications show that Sacramento doesn't want to trade Fox or Haliburton unless a star player is coming back, it wouldn't hurt for the Heat to give them a call.
As good as Miami is, the offense could still use a bit more playmaking juice on offense and in half-court situations. Haliburton is an excellent playmaker and 3-point shooter while also providing capable defense, even if he's not a true stopper.
While the Heat trading for Haliburton feels really unlikely at this point, they should still put the feelers out there as they both try to win now and build for the future. Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler are both getting up there in age, so getting another young piece for the franchise would be nice. It would almost certainly take a notable player going back to Sacramento, which Miami might not want to do, but it's at least a situation worth monitoring.
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