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11/22/2024 08:38:22 am

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Miami Heat Rumors Central: Luol Deng Potential Trade Candidate, Reasons Behind Shabazz Napier Trade

 Luol Deng

(Photo : Getty Images) ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 27: Mario Chalmers #15, Tyler Johnson #8 and Luol Deng #9 of the Miami Heat walk off the court at the end of the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 27, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat are very confident about their star-studded starting lineup for next season, though Basketball Insiders analyst Steve Kyler isn't ruling out another major trade if things don't play out as expected before February's trade deadline.

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According to Kyler, the Heat easily has one of the most formidable starting line-up on paper with Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade in the backcourt and Hassan Whiteside, Chris Bosh and Luol Deng in the frontline.

However, the veteran NBA pundit believes Deng is the most likely trade candidate at trade deadline, more so if they fell short from their goal of becoming one of the top-2 teams in the Eastern Conference.       

"The Heat want to hold on to Luol Deng and see how well the team can play, sources close to the organization tell Kyler, but if Miami underwhelms, Kyler believes Miami would put Deng on the block," via Hoops Rumors.

Deng, who averaged 14.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in 33.6 minutes per game last season, opted in on the second year of his contract worth $10.1 million. In case the Heat pursued trading Deng, no.10 overall pick Justise Winslow will likely move up to fill the void at the small forward spot.

More Heat news and rumors:

According to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel, the Heat's decision to trade first-overall pick Shabazz Napier to the Orlando Magic wasn't because the former UConn standout wasn't a good prospect but instead it is largely due to tax concerns this summer and better options at point guard spot after the team re-signed Goran Dragic.

"This summer, the Heat had luxury tax concerns and better options at point guard, and that's what led to the trade with Orlando, Winderman argues. That casts a different light on Napier than that from when an NBA GM told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that the Heat had simply concluded prior to the trade that the point guard "was not good enough," via Hoops Rumors.

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