Don’t look now but Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are reportedly eyeing a major offseason trade.
After striking out early in free agency, it sounds like the franchise would like to find a way to get DeMar DeRozan down to South Beach. As Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports:
The Heat has expressed interest in Bulls free agent guard DeMar DeRozan, and DeRozan also has interest in Miami, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. The Heat is among several teams in play for the six-time All Star.
DeRozan is also rumored to be a target of the Los Angeles Lakers. But that’s been the case seemingly every year since LeBron James arrived in LA.
At 34-years-old the Compton, California native is still one of the better scorers in the NBA and he could definitely provide some reliable offense for whatever team he ultimately lands on.
With that said though, it could be challenging for Miami to land his services.
Per Jackson: there are still “significant challenges” that could ultimately prevent a Heat/DeRozan marriage. The biggest being that Miami could only add him if he accepts the team’s $5.2 million midlevel exception or a minimum contract if there isn’t a sign-and-trade scenario.
Related: Report: Jimmy Butler Makes Decision On Future With Heat