The Miami Heat may turn their attention to the other top point guard available after failing to acquire both Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday in the previous week. However, the Heat have reportedly shown little interest in acquiring James Harden through a trade.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported, “According to an NBA source familiar with the situation, James Harden is not the next thing in the [Heat’s] view.”
Damian Lillard was moved to the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday after the Heat had been connected to him for months but had been unable to reach an agreement with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers reportedly received an offer from the Heat for Jrue Holiday after the Heat failed to get Lillard. Holiday was included in Milwaukee’s deal for Lillard. Unfortunately for Miami, the Trail Blazers accepted an offer from the Boston Celtics, moving another talented guard to a division opponent.
That means Harden is the last guard still up for grabs in a trade. Harden did not attend the team’s media day on Monday or the opening day of training camp on Tuesday due to the contract disagreement and unfulfilled trade request he made to the Clippers that he had made in August. Campers at Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Wednesday.
Without a significant offer from the Clippers, the Heat could package Harden with Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry and veteran forward Duncan Robinson. The salary cap regulations would allow the Heat to acquire a primary ball-handler and оffensive leader in Harden and P.J. Tucker.However, the Heat are publicly asserting that they do not need to add a star player in order to compete for a title. According to Winderman, the Heat aren’t interested in trading for Harden despite apparently making offers on Lillard and Holiday. While Harden would be an asset on the court, the Heat and many other clubs have apparently decided to pass due to worries about his demeanor and lackluster performance in the playoffs.