[brid autoplay=”true” video=”744841″ player=”23231″ title=”A%20Lonzo%20Ball%20trade%20to%20the%20Golden%20State%20Warriors%20could%20be%20in%20the%20cards” duration=”50″ description=”With a few days to go ahead of the deadline, there’s rumors surrounding a potential Lonzo Ball trade from the New Orleans Pelicans.In the midst of a career season, the 23-year-old Ball is slated to become a restricted free agent. There’s no telling whether he figures in to the Pelicans’ plans for the future.Rumors of a potential Ball trade have been circulating for pretty much the entire 2020-21 NBA season. That includes the Golden State Warriors previously engaging New Orleans in talks for the former No. 2 pick. Could it happen? According to Klay Thompson’s father, former NBA great Mychal Thompson, it should happen.” uploaddate=”2021-03-22″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/744841_t_1616441819.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/744841.mp4″]
As NBA rumors heat up prior to Thursday’s deadline, the Miami Heat continue to be talked about a lot. The defending Eastern Conference champions have been linked to six-time Toronto Raptors All-Star guard Kyle Lowry. They have also been talked about a lot regarding Houston Rockets two-guard Victor Oladipo.
At issue here is a lack of draft pick assets and a salary cap situation that makes it a necessity for Miami to match salaries in any trade. That’s where former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala comes into play.
The aging forward boasts a $15 million salary for the 2020-21 season and might have to be moved if Miami is going to pull off an impact trade.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, that’s a real possibility. While moving off the 37-tear-old Iguodala wouldn’t be an ideal scenario for the Miami Heat, it could make some sense. He’s not the player we saw earlier in the forward’s career. However, he provides tremendous defense off the bench for a team that has struggled guarding on a consistent basis out on the perimeter.
Even then, the recent addition of Trevor Ariza in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder could change the dynamics here. He can play the same type of role as Iguodala off the bench for Miami moving forward.
Read More: NBA trade rumors: Latest updates leading up to the March 25 deadline
How would the Miami Heat use Andre Iguodala in a trade?
As noted above, it would be all about matching salaries. Miami’s interest in Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors magnifies this further. The veteran guard boasts a $30.5 million salary for this season.
Following the acquisition of Ariza, the Heat find themselves $17.9 million over the cap — meaning the salaries would have to come close to matching.
Moving off Iguodala and fellow high-priced veteran Kelly Olynyk would enable the salaries to match. From there, the Miami Heat would then have to offer up either Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro as well as draft pick assets to entice Toronto.
At 22-21 on the season, Miami might be in a situation where it has to pull off a notable trade in order to even compete for the Eastern Conference title with the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
COVID-19 issues coupled with some injury problems impacted Miami big time earlier in the season. After winning 11 of their previous 12, the Heat are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. It could put pressure on legendary front office head Pat Riley to pull off a move ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
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