The Miami Heat are interested in trading for Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez, according to two reports. Heat forward Luol Deng, meanwhile, appears to be off the trade block.
Brooklyn purportedly would be willing to trade Lopez, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson for the right offer. Heat president Pat Riley, who's been uncharacteristically active this trade season, reportedly has his eye on Lopez.
"Hearing Nets continue to talk to teams about Brook Lopez. Sources say Miami has shown a strong interest," ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk tweeted Wednesday night.
Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders also reported the Heat as interested in Lopez. While Brooklyn isn't willing to let Lopez go for nothing, Kyler believes the Heat - and any team, for that matter - have a legitimate chance of landing the injury-prone 7-footer.
"...Sources say with so many deals dropping, that there seems to be an increased desire to find a deal for Lopez before the chips on the trade table dry up," Kyler wrote Thursday. "The Nets are not looking to 'give' Lopez away, but their asking price isn't crazy, so it's likely they can find a deal fairly soon. ...
"There has been a debate over whether Lopez opts for free agency in July or stays in his final $16.74 million contract year. If he opts into his deal or gives assurances that he would stay in the deal, he might hold more value in trade than if it's clear he is a rental hitting the open market (after the season)."
Miami also made headlines earlier in January when reports indicated Deng was on the market. The Memphis Grizzlies were said to have been pursuing Deng last week, but the fact they ended up trading for Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green suggests Miami is unlikely to move Deng for anything less than an amazing offer.
