For the vast majority of this season, the prevailing opinion was that the Miami Heat would be sellers in the weeks leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline.
Even with their limited assets, most expected for Miami to move a few of their veteran pieces in an attempt to jumpstart their rebuild.
However, circumstances have certainly changed. At least, that’s what the recent word is out of the Heat camp. And now that the Heat have won 12-straight games, with still a favorable upcoming schedule, why shouldn’t it?
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According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat are keeping an eye on Orlando’s Serge Ibaka as the NBA Trade Deadline draws near.
Meanwhile, Riley is expected to explore moves before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
One name we’ve been told is on Miami’s radar: Orlando forward Serge Ibaka, an impending free agent for whom the Magic reportedly is willing to consider offers.
It’s unclear whether the Heat has assets that the Magic wants, or how aggressively Miami will pursue this. But Ibaka intrigues the Heat.
Ibaka was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft night in exchange for Victor Oladipo and a first-round pick. However, Ibaka hasn’t exactly fit all that well with the Magic, who have a very oddly constructed roster.
Nevertheless, Ibaka is still only 27 years old and in the midst of his prime. Statistically, Ibaka is actually having a career year. Ibaka is averaging a career-high 15.2 points and seven rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from three-point range.
If nothing else, Ibaka has proved throughout the course of his career that he can be a solid stretch-4. The big gamble here, of course, is that he hits the unrestricted free agent market this summer, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll re-sign wherever he gets moved.
Is that a risk the Miami Heat, or any team really, is willing to take? More importantly, is it a risk they SHOULD be taking?
