Dion Waiters of the Miami Heat celebrates his shot as Trevor Booker of the Brooklyn Nets defends in the fourth quarter at the Barclays Center on January 25, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Elsa)
The Miami Heat were once considered as one of the worst teams in the National Basketball Association and were on their way to rebuilding. However, things took a different route as the Heat won 12 straight games, boosting Miami's chances for a playoff spot. Now, they are making moves before the NBA trade deadline.
Miami entered 2017 tied with the most losses in the league but went on to ride a 12-game winning streak which featured impressive wins over Western Conference giants Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Instead of having a fire sale for a rebuild, the Heat have transformed into buyers hoping to bolster their lineup for a late playoff push, Sporting News reported.
Nothing was coming right for the Heat early in the season, having to go through this year without longtime star Dwayne Wade (signed with the Chicago Bulls) and Chris Bosh (blood clotting in lungs). They have also lost Justise Winslow to injury and finished the first half of the season with a dismal 11-30 record.
But with the emergence of Dion Waiters and the dominance of Hassan Whiteside, the Heat have closed the game and are only 1.5 games behind eighth seed Detroit Pistons. Also, Goran Dragic, who has been rumored to be on his way out from South Beach, might stay as the Heat are reportedly intending to keep him and the core of squad.
The Heat are reportedly interested in Orlando Magic big man Serge Ibaka according to The Miami Herald. However, there is uncertainty whether Miami has the pieces to deal with the Magic which wants something in return for Ibaka. Ibaka will already be hitting the free agent market at the end of this season and if the Heat gets the deal done, they are taking a risk at the shot-swatting big man who can opt not to sign with the Heat in the offseason.
Miami has a 24-31 record for 10th place and what critics say one of the easiest schedule in the league, making a run for eighth place a doable feat.
