According to a recent rumor, the Miami Heat, who have a history of injuries, is considering adding a power forward, though not at an exorbitant cost.
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Jarred Vanderbilt, a power forward for the Utah Jazz, has reportedly been discussed as a potential trade candidate.
According to a source, the Heat recently contacted Utah’s Jarred Vanderbilt as they looked into the power forward market.
After defeating just seven of their first 18 games, the Heat will try to restore their game against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night. The most recent setback was a Monday road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves by 107-105.
The close loss was commendable, given that the Heat started the game without either of their two biggest scorers, Tyler Herro or Jimmy Butler. Both players and other colleagues have been sidelined due to injury.
The Heat is attempting to boost their roster in preparation for what they believe will be a long postseason run, even though neither Butler nor Herro plays the power forward position.
The Orlando Magic initially selected Vanderbilt in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as one of a four-team deal in February 2020, during his second season with the Magic.
Vanderbilt took part in the historic trade that sent Rudy Gobert from the Jazz to the Timberwolves during the previous summer, and he has started all 17 of his games for the Jazz this year.
Other teams undoubtedly view Vanderbilt as having potential worth because he produces a large portion of his output on the boards and as a defender. He averages 1.1 steals, 2.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 7.8 points per game.
Given the financial consequences of such a choice, the Heat are still reluctant to exceed the team’s salary cap.
The Heat might be able to stay under the cap with Vanderbilt’s pay for this season and the following. He will make $4.6 million the following season, up from his $4.3 million salary for the 2022–23 season.
Miami has until February to make moves, but they don’t anticipate doing so soon. But the more they struggle, the closer the moment of reckoning might be.