Luol Deng (Photo : REUTERS)
After successfully re-signing their starting back-court duo Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic, the Miami Heat will be boasting perhaps the second most talented starting lineup in the Eastern Conference behind the Cleveland Cavaliers next season.
The talent is overflowing that analysts are already giving them a fair shot at dethroning LeBron James and the Cavs if they ever cross path in the Conference finals. But like several Super-Teams in the past, the star-studded Heat is expected to encounter some road bumps along the way.
In case they struggle to live up to the hype, Basketball Insiders writer Steve Kyler expects the Heat front-office to pull off another big trade with Luol Deng likely becoming their major trade chip between now and February trade deadline.
Via Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders:
The fit for Deng in Miami has been less than ideal, but sources near the situation say the HEAT want to see if this squad, when healthy, can truly compete. If it all works there is a real chance Miami keeps things together and sees how far this team can go. If the HEAT are middling, then looking to cash out Deng and reduce the tax seems extremely likely.
Everything in this situation will be tied to how the team plays out of the gate and more importantly if Deng can get back to his All-Star caliber form. If Deng is average, he's trade bait and this one is absolutely a name to watch as the season opens up.
The 30-year old Deng picked up his player's option on the second year of his contract worth $10.15 million. The former two-time All-Star put up decent stats-line (14 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 33 mpg / 40% FG, 35% 3PTS FG), but his presence was hardly felt as the Heat sustained injuries on their key stars Wade (knee) and Chris Bosh (blood clot).
If he stays healthy and motivated, Deng could be a game-changer for the Heat as they make a run at the championship in only the second year after James' departure. On the other hand, the cast-strapped Heat won't have any second thought trading him for picks or prospects in case he falters anew with Justise Winslow, the no.10 overall pick in 2015 Draft, waiting to take the starting small forward spot.
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