Goran Dragic (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Miami Heat could look into trading Goran Dragic in hopes of finding a replacement for Chris Bosh, whose career with the team is over.
Bosh's career with the Heat is over as confirmed by the team's president Pat Riley on Monday, insisting that Miami is not working towards the 10-time All-Star's return after failing his preseason physical last week.
Bosh, who helped the Heat win two championship in his six seasons with the team, was forced to sit out the remainder of the season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg last February. While Bosh has insisted he disagrees with the decision, the Heat seem unwilling to take the risk of allowing the 32-year-old forward to play.
Bosh's absence not only signifies the end of the Big Three era in Miami, but also leaves the team with a gaping hole to fill. His ability to score and stretch the floor would be a losing factor for the Heat, as well as Bosh's nightly double-digit scoring. And after losing Dwyane Wade to free agency earlier this summer, the Heat may not afford to move on to the regular season without an All-Star in their fold, especially if they intend to contend this season.
With no other star in their lineup, it is up to Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic and the Heat's youngsters in Tyler Johnson and Justise Winslow to take over South Beach. But reports from Sports Illustrated's Fansided have suggested that the Heat may consider trading Dragic now that Bosh is out.
"With a largely turned over roster, Dragic will be asked to be the main facilitator for everyone-not just Whiteside. That's a tall task for a player who has averaged more than six assists per game just once in his 10 seasons," Richard Nurse of Fansided wrote.
"If the two [Dragic and Whiteside] cannot build a bond, Riley must move a player like Dragic, who may not be down to play for a franchise with two out of three losing seasons during his tenure."
In a separate report from The Sixer Sense, another fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, writer Bret Stuter explored the possibility of the Heat making a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for big man Jahlil Okafor.
"The Miami Heat will be looking for options now. Perhaps one option they should consider is trading for Jahlil Okafor," Stuter noted.
With Dragic becoming the next odd man out in Miami, the Heat could trade him to the 76ers for Okafor, who could step in to fill the void left by Bosh.
Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in his rookie season, which are numbers close to what Bosh had produced in his stint with the Heat. While their games are not entirely similar with Okafor more of a low-post threat, the 20-year-old center is still the perfect piece the Heat should pursue.
"While Hassan Whiteside rules the post defensively, Okafor would be ideal to come in and plunk in his 20 plus points. The Philadelphia 76ers have most likely concluded that Okafor will play some power forward this year. He could accelerate that transition by working with Whiteside in Miami," Stuter added.
On the other side of the potential deal, the 76ers would acquire a talented point guard who could share playmaking duties with 2016 first overall pick Ben Simmons.
Dragic was not much of a factor for the Heat last season, but still managed to post solid numbers, averaging 14.1 points and 5.8 assists per game. The 30-year-old point guard would provide the 76ers an insurance if Simmons fails to run the point effectively.
There is a possibility the Heat would explore the trade market with Bosh out of the lineup, and Okafor could be in Miami's list as the 76ers continue to address their crowded frontcourt. Okafor is not a star, but his potential to become a perennial All-Star and grow with the Heat's core of young talents should see him as one of the options for the three-time NBA champs.
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