Goran Dragic (Photo : Getty Images)
The Miami Heat could be among the teams that could take advantage in Tom Thibodeau's growing impatient for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ric Bucher of Report reported that T-Wolves head coach and president of basketball operation Tom Thibodeau is growing impatient and may deal one of his young stars for a veteran who can immediately help Minnesota win. While Bucher did name potential targets in Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng and Taj Gibson, teams like the Heat are expected to give the 'Wolves a call a few weeks before the February deadline.
The Heat are already on the verge of rebuilding after losing stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the offseason, signaling the end of the "Big Three Era" in Miami. Heat president Pat Riley has made it clear he intends to add another draft pick in next year's pool of rookies, but Ryan DiPentima of the Palm Beach Post reported that the Timberwolves willingness to move their young talents could force Riley to make a move.
"Pat Riley has made it clear that he intends to add another draft pick if possible, but Riley, with his notorious win-now personality, could attempt to expedite the rebuilding process by acquiring young, proven talent instead," DiPentima wrote.
The Heat have plenty of assets they could move, including Goran Dragic, who has been linked to potential trade moves early in the season. Young talents like Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson could also be used to sweeten up trade offers, as well as veterans James Johnson and Dion Waiters, who signed with the Heat this past summer.
However, it is unlikely the Timberwolves deal Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony-Towns or Zach Lavine for second-tier players, although former coach and NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy believes Minnesota needs to make some deals to shore up the team's weaknesses.
"There are a lot of young teams that all they are is young. That doesn't mean they have a chance to be good. Minnesota has a chance to be really good, but there are moves that need to be made to shore up [their weaknesses]," Van Gundy told Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune.
It is unclear whether the Heat have a genuine interest in acquiring any of the Timberwolves' young guns, but if Minnesota is serious about making their core of youngsters available, it is something Miami should consider.
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