Miami Heat: Pass or pursue on 5 rumored NBA trade deadline targets
By Dalton Sell
Should the Miami Heat pass on or pursue rumored trade target LaMarcus Aldridge?
Another power forward that could be on the Miami Heat’s radar ahead of the trade deadline is LaMarcus Aldridge.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich revealed last week that Aldridge and the team agreed that the two sides would mutually part ways in the coming weeks. Making an expiring $24 million deal for the remainder of this season, the Spurs are working on trading the seven-time All-Star, but that will be hard to pull off with that hefty salary.
Financial specifics aside, Aldridge would be a solid acquisition for the Heat in their search for frontcourt help. Although the 35-year-old is having one of the least productive seasons of his career by averaging 13.7 points on .464/.360/.838 shooting splits, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, he could still provide a massive boost for this team at the power forward position.
Aldridge would certainly be an interesting complementary piece next to All-Star starting center Bam Adebayo in Miami’s frontcourt. The newly-equipped floor spacing from behind the arc that Aldridge provides on the offensive end could make the two a lethal combination.
However, for $24 million, the Heat should not be too persistent in getting a trade for the forward done. They would likely have to part ways several key rotational pieces and some compensation to likely bring him aboard. It is questionable whether bringing in Aldridge would be a move worth doing so.
As Charania noted in his previously mentioned reporting, the buyout market seems to be a more feasible pathway for Miami to bring in Aldridge if the Spurs eventually elected to go that route. The Heat should hold out on a trade for LaMarcus Aldridge but make a strong effort to sign him if he becomes a buyout candidate.