Update: This article was based on a report that the Thunder and Heat were discussing a trade. Adrian Wojnarowski later reported the trade had been made. The full, up-to-date story can be found here.
With the trade deadline approaching, the Oklahoma City Thunder are starting to get some buzz from other teams about forward Trevor Ariza. They are working on a deal with the Miami Heat, according to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor.
While Ariza has not played this season, he is a 17-year veteran with nine years of playoff experience. His 3-and-D abilities could conceivably help a contender, particularly one like the Heat, who need help at the power forward position.
The Thunder would likely receive a second-round pick and salary filler in return from whichever team can strike a deal.
Miami owns the rights to a 2022 second-rounder from the Philadelphia 76ers or Denver Nuggets, whichever is less favorable, and its own 2027 second-rounder.
The Heat player could be Meyers Leonard, who has a $9.4 million contract. Leonard played three games this season before suffering a shoulder injury and undergoing surgery that was expected to be season-ending. He was then suspended indefinitely by the team for using an anti-Semitic slur.
Ironically, the Heat could use the trade exception of James Johnson to help match the salary of Trevor Ariza, who is owed $12.8 million.
The Thunder acquired Ariza from the Detroit Pistons by trading away Johnson.
Last offseason, Oklahoma City was part of a three-team trade that shipped Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks, Delon Wright to the Pistons, and Ariza, Justin Jackson, a 2023 second-round pick and a 2026 second-round pick to the Thunder.
With Ariza not part of the Thunder rotation, he could be a buyout candidate if he is not traded. With reports of several teams interested, though, Miami would like to control its own destiny in the Ariza sweepstakes.
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