The Miami Heat missed out on Damian Lillard this summer. Pat Riley spent all summer trying to prise the All-Star guard away from the Portland Trail Blazers. However, Lillard ended up being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. As such, the Heat are expected to be active in the trade market as they look to upgrade their roster. According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix , who was speaking on a recent episode of “The Crossover” podcast, the Heat could have interest in Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby.
Siakam is in the final year of his current contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Anunoby has a player option on his deal for next season, which he is widely expected to decline. Toronto is unlikely to retain both players, knowing they could lose them for nothing at the end of the current season. As such, it makes sense that teams are keeping an eye on developments with the Raptors. A team like Miami could use an athletic forward with legitimate size, length, and skill to help round out their starting unit. Unlike the potential trade for Lillard, Miami wouldn’t need to gut their entire roster to get a deal over the line, either.
However, just because Anunoby and Siakam make sense on paper doesn’t mean they’re going to emerge as Miami’s top targets. Riley could turn his attention to the current issues surrounding the Chicago Bulls and look to prise one of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, or Alex Caruso away from the struggling Eastern Conference franchise.
