3 bold trades for the Miami Heat ahead of the deadline
By Cal Durrett
Miami Heat: Trade #1
Of the three trades, this one may be the most unlikely to happen. That said, it’s far from impossible. After all, if the Dallas Mavericks and Christian Wood can’t come to terms on a contract extension, the Mavericks are expected to trade him ahead of his free agency to keep from losing him for nothing.
And if they were to trade him, it would likely be for more handling and playmaking. While Lowry has disappointed this season, he is still a skilled distributor and could help take some of the playmaking load off of Luka Doncic in Dallas.
Of course, Lowry has another year remaining beyond the season, which would complicate any deal involving him and the Mavericks. Then again, to acquire a much-needed upgrade at power forward, the Heat could agree to offset Lowry’s contract by taking back Davis Bertans and giving up their 2023 first and 2029 second, as well as Omer Yurtseven.
Bertans also has one of the worst contracts in the league, with two seasons and $33 million remaining, and is barely a rotation player for the Mavericks. Agreeing to take him off the Mavericks’ hands could be the equivalent of giving up another first-round pick for the Heat.
If the Mavericks can't come to terms with Christian Wood on a new contract, they are widely expected to explore the trade market for him before the league's Feb. 9 trade deadline, per @TheSteinLine
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 4, 2023
(Via https://t.co/FgwRrSC7eA) pic.twitter.com/rycIEgZ0KE
At the very least, swapping Bertans would essentially offset about $13 million of Lowry’s contract for next season with the Mavericks. That could make the trade more appealing to them.
Next. The 8 players most likely to be traded in 2023. dark
Meanwhile, landing Wood would help bolster a positional weakness and provide the Heat with one of the most talented frontcourts in the NBA.