Although the Miami Heat are stuck in mediocrity, acquiring a superstar can flip the script right away.
New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis has been in trade rumors for the past few weeks, mainly in relation with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, there is a chance that Pat Riley and the Heat will go after the whale.
According to the ESPN insider Zach Lowe, the Heat would have to surrender most of their best young players in addition to future draft picks to attain Davis:
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“The [San Antonio] Spurs and Heat have the pedigree that interests a certain type of star. (It’s unclear if Davis is such a star.) San Antonio is light on assets. The Heat could put together a compelling package if they include two and maybe all three of Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow, along with every pick they can offer.”
Davis, 25, is one of the best basketball players in the league. The 6-foot-10 power forward is having another stellar year, putting up 28.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game this season. Although Davis is a transcendent talent, the Pelicans have been unable to equip the star with a supporting cast capable enough to compete for a title.
Despite having Davis at the helm for the past six years, the Pelicans have only been to the playoffs two times in that span. In both appearances with the No.1 pick in the 2012 draft, New Orleans was knocked out by the Golden State Warriors. The lack of winning Davis has experienced in the Big Easy might cause the All-Star to demand a trade.
While the Heat haven’t been competing lately either, the organization has been to the NBA Finals five times in the last 12 years and won three championships in that period. In addition, the Heat know how to successfully pair stars and build winning rosters, which might attract Davis.
Although most of the league is expecting the Lakers to lure Davis away from the Pelicans, don’t count out Riley and the Heat just yet.
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