Gerald Green (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
Miami Heat's Gerald Green could find himself in another team before the trade deadline as the team already established its winning chemistry without the high-flying shooting guard.
Green is set to return in the Heat's lineup after his two-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. While his comeback spells excitement for Heat fans, the 2007 Slam Dunk champ's decreased role could signal his exit from South Beach.
Before Green was sidelined, he averaged 10.3 points in 21.7 minutes. But his absence, along with the trade of veteran guard Mario Chalmers and James Ennis, gave way for rookies Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson to blossom and earn quality minutes in Erik Spoelstra's rotation, which in turn created a winning chemistry for the team, reports Sporting News.
It would be hard to disrupt the Heat's core roster, considering that they are doing well even without the services of Green. With his situation, rumors have buzzed that Green could be traded by the Heat following the Chalmers-to-Memphis move.
According to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald, Green's team-best 41.2 percent shooting from downtown was badly missed by the Heat during his six-game absence, but Miami was able to pull off a 4-2 slate and played good defense thru the use of Winslow, Johnson, and Josh McRoberts.
There is no confirmation yet from the Heat's front office about a move involving Green, but if Miami decides to part ways with the eight-year NBA veteran, teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers could use Green's athleticism and scoring abilities.
Real GM trade checker noted that a straight swap for Mavs power forward Dwight Powell could be possible.
The Mavs have been able to manage a winning campaign early in the season despite Chandler Parsons' limited minutes.
Dallas do not expect any contribution from Parsons anytime soon. Trading for Green would give them an athletic wing they lack and stretch the defense with his three-point shooting.
Powell, on the other hand, could create a monster duo alongside budding star Hassan Whiteside, although it is unlikely the Mavs will let go of Powell, who has been solid for Dallas so far with 10.5 points and 8.1 rebounds in 11 games.
Meanwhile, the Lakers would certainly entertain any help at this early stages of the NBA 2015-2016 season.
LA's 2-9 record puts them just ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans at the bottom of the Western standings, and with the way they are playing, another forgetful season is looming in Tinsel Town.
Real GM approved a swap of Green for power forward Tarik Black.
Green would provide the needed spark at the wing position for the Lakers and is certainly an upgrade over an aging Metta World Peace, while Black could also form a dynamic tandem with Whiteside that would give the Heat an elite interior defense.
If Green's relevance with the Heat continues to shrink, it is not impossible we see him in another jersey. But for now, Heat fans will have to wait and see if Green could fit in Spoelstra's established rotation.
