A Kemba Walker, multi-team blockbuster trade involving the Miami Heat

Following the news that Kemba Walker has been placed on the trading block, here’s a blockbuster, multi-team deal involving the Miami Heat.

With the Feb. 8 trade deadline quickly approaching, various reports have been started to trickle through as to the players and teams that are likely to be involved discussions over the coming weeks.

The latest report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that the Charlotte Hornets have placed All-Star point guard Kemba Walker could actually be the impetus that leads a number of teams to some serious discussions.

Among those teams that are expected to make inquiries are the Miami Heat. With team president Pat Riley no stranger to being an active trade participant, the Heat certainly possess a number of attractive pieces that teams challenging for a playoff spot could find more than useful on their playing roster.

In addition to the Heat, a couple of other teams widely reported as being likely participants in the trade market are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers. With their season somewhat imploding having lost nine of their past 12 games to find themselves with a 27-18 record, the Cavs are seen as a team primed to be a busy participant in the lead-up to Feb. 8.

But what garnered the most interest and certainly raised a few eyebrows was the following story written by three different news outlets:

Following their recent 118-108 loss to the Golden State Warriors, several Cavaliers players expressed their belief that the current roster does not have the capability to perform to level capable of winning a championship.

The other team in a test predicament is the Clippers, with some important decisions required regarding the future of two key players. Center DeAndre Jordan is eligible to opt out of his current deal at the end of the season, meaning he will be eligible for a costly extension this summer.

Turning 30 prior to next season, it’s unclear at this stage if the Clippers wish to make a sizable investment in Jordan after having signed fellow All-Star Blake Griffin to a five-year, $173 million deal last summer.

Also in the Clippers’ thought process is guard Lou Williams, currently having a career year at age 31. Out of contract at the end of the season, the Clippers must decide whether they package him away prior to the deadline, or wait until the offseason where they could risk losing him for nothing to a rival suitor.

Therefore, this makes the Hornets a legitimate trade suitor, the Cavaliers and Clippers as highly likely, and the Heat as the fourth team joining the group.