As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Miami Heat are actively trying to find trade partners for both Dion Waiters and James Johnson.
According to a newsletter via Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Heat are looking to make moves this week starting with two underperforming role players.
“It is also widely assumed that the Heat are working — challenging as it is — to find a new home for the disgruntled Dion Waiters and maybe James Johnson (whom Miami may use to try to acquire Iguodala),” Stein's newsletter stated.
Waiters has let his frustration with the Heat organization be known in the past. The 28-year-old shooting guard has been suspended by the team multiple times this season and has largely been kept out of the rotation.
Just one season after playing nearly 26 minutes per game for Miami, Waiters has just appeared in three games this season. Even in those games, the seven-year veteran is averaging just 9.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game while shooting an unimpressive 38.5 percent from the field. On the other hand, Waiters has made eight of his 17 attempts from beyond the arc this season.
The situation isn't much better for Johnson who, after signing a four-year, $60 million deal in 2017, has seen his role with the team steadily decrease.
The former team captain is now reduced to playing in 18 of Miami's 49 games this season averaging 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 15.6 minutes per contest.
As reported by Stein, the Heat may use these deals to try and acquire disgruntled veteran Andre Iguodala. the former finals MVP has refused to play for the Memphis Grizzlies this season after being traded to the team in June.
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