The Miami Heat are looking to be buyers at the trade deadline on Thursday and perhaps even beyond, and there are a few names being thrown around as candidates for them to land.
According to The Action Network's Matt Moore, the Heat are putting themselves in position to make at least two notable additions:
More than one league source has said they believe the Heat will end up with Lowry and Aldridge OR Oladipo and Aldridge (Oladio reported today by Woj).
Just a growing sense among teams not involved directly in those talks.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) March 23, 2021
It almost seems like a given to many that Miami is going to wind up acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge, whether it's in a trade from the San Antonio Spurs or on the buyout market. However, the Heat also have their sights on other names like Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo, and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Ahead of the deadline, Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press shared that he believes Lowry's preferred destination is Miami, whether it be now or in free agency:
All I can say is this: It's absolutely true that if Kyle Lowry leaves Toronto, his pick of landing spots would be Miami.
And I do think he'll be with the Heat next season.
I'm just not sure yet about whether he will be later this week.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 23, 2021
Lowry's an impending free agent after the season, so the Heat could use a trade to give them an opportunity to convince him to remain in South Beach next season.
In an article for the Miami Herald, Barry Jackson points out that the Heat would prefer to keep Tyler Herro out of talks on Lowry unless the Toronto Raptors are willing to include Norman Powell. While Lowry hasn't actually demanded a trade, he reportedly has eyes on Miami and would welcome a deal there. Lowry and Jimmy Butler are close friends.
As for Oladipo and Dinwiddie, Kendrick Nunn, Avery Bradley, and Duncan Robinson could be names dealt for the impending free agents. There has been a ton of smoke swirling around Oladipo and the Heat, even back to when the guard was traded to the Houston Rockets. It looks like Oladipo is going to get traded before the deadline, but it's unclear where as of right. Dinwiddie is unlikely to play this year after tearing his ACL early in the 2020-2021 season.
Ever since Aldridge and the Spurs agreed to part ways ahead of the deadline, the Heat immediately became suitors. Besides what seems to be an inevitable move for Aldridge, Miami is doing everything it can to put together a team that can compete for an NBA title for the second consecutive year.
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