Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors. (Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
The Miami Heat want to make moves ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline. Two players they have their eyes on are Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry and San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Miami Heat could be adding two former All-Stars at the 2021 NBA trade deadline in Kyle Lowry and LaMarcus Aldridge.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports the Toronto Raptors point guard and the San Antonio Spurs power forward are the Heat’s top two targets ahead of Thursday’s deadline. O’Connor added that other teams are interested in trading for Lowry, but the Heat are his preferred trade destination if he is dealt, as he is close with Heat star Jimmy Butler. Lowry plans to retire as a Raptor, though.
As for Aldridge, the other team he could be looking at joining is his former team in the Portland Trail Blazers. Aldridge is a potential buy-out candidate for the Spurs, so he could be free to sign anywhere he chooses if that is the direction the San Antonio organization wants to go in. Miami is a game above .500 at 21-20 and half a game back of the Atlanta Hawks in the Southeast Division.
What would the Miami Heat have to give up for Kyle Lowry, LaMarcus Aldridge?
O’Connor reports that a deal for Lowry with the Raptors would mean the Heat would have to part ways with either Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro. Since Lowry would take away minutes from point guard Goran Dragic, he would probably have to be in that deal as well. As for Aldridge, he will command a great deal less as he is a potential buy-out candidate for the Spurs to being with.
Overall, the Heat will be up against it on their quest to win the Eastern Conference again. With the Brooklyn Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers firmly ahead of them in the standings, Miami may only be an Eastern Conference Semifinals team. By adding veterans who have been perennial All-Stars before, their additions may help the Heat win multiple playoff series.
Look for the Heat to be one of the most active teams heading into Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.