With Miami Heat center Greg Oden expected to receive more playing time, the Heat are reportedly trying to acquire a wing before the NBA trade deadline passes.
Oden made his season debut on Jan. 15 against the Washington Wizards. The 7-footer, playing in his first NBA game since December 2009, logged six points and two rebounds in his eight minutes and 24 seconds of playing time. He played in his second game on Saturday against the Charlotte Bobcats, where he played for five minutes but managed just one point.
Miami is continuing to take their time bringing Oden along, but the team expects to gradually increase Oden's playing time over the season. With depth at center, the Heat are reportedly now eying a trade for a swingman before the Feb. 20 deadline.
"With Oden looking like he can be a contributor, the Heat sent veteran center Joel Anthony to Boston last week as part of a three-team deal that brought guard Toney Douglas to Miami," David Aldridge of NBA.com wrote on Tuesday. "But people around the league think the Heat are still looking to make another deal, for a wing, before the trade deadline."
With Miami losing five of their last 10 games, a wing could be the answer to the Heat's recent struggles.
Miami was forced to use their amnesty clause in the summer on swingman Mike Miller, and the team hasn't yet found a replacement who can stretch defenses like Miller could with three point shooting.
The Heat host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
