According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, the Miami Heat are open for business with any player on the team’s roster being up for grabs.
“Up and down the roster, literally every player,” said Lowe towards the end of his latest podcast. “Literally no one is untouchable, not even Hassan Whiteside, by a long shot.”
After the Heat had given their franchise player a $98 million contract in the offseason, it’s surprising to hear that the prized big man is far from safe.
So far this season, the 7-footer is averaging a league-leading 14.3 rebounds per game to go along with 17.2 points, both career highs. However his blocks average is the lowest its been in three years at 2.2 and many will argue that he hasn’t given forth his 100 percent effort every single night.
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Another player who seems to be headlining trade rumors on a nightly basis is starting point guard Goran Dragic, who actually may be the team’s most consistent and productive player this season.
The point guard is averaging a team-leading 19.0 points on 45.5 percent shooting from the field to go along with 6.6 assists a game. He’s also played 31 games on a team that’s been ravaged by injuries all season long.
Whatever the Heat’s plan is moving forward, it’s been made clear by Pat Riley in the past that the Heat are looking to rebuild for the future. So don’t be surprised if the Heat acquire young talent and/or draft picks in the near future via trade or the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft.
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