The Miami Heat have certainly been in the headlines a lot recently, for both good and bad reasons. They made a crazy run to the NBA Finals this past season. They were able to win three straight rounds as the eighth-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.
Damian Lillard asked the Portland Trail Blazers for a trade, a move that — if completed — would end the seven-time All-Star’s tenure with that team. The Heat are the most likely trade destination for the elite point guard.
Last week USC forward Drew Peterson signed with the Miami Heat.
“In the final UCLA-USC meeting of the past season, Jaquez had 15 points and eight rebounds on 5-10 shooting from the field. However, Peterson had 16 points on 6-10 shooting as the Trojans got the 13-point upset victory at the Galen Center.
“Now, the two Heat teammates will have plenty to discuss from their college days. Peterson has a lot of work to do to earn a roster spot, but an Exhibit 10 deal gives the Heat the chance to convert to a two-way contract, so there is a path to Peterson getting playing time in the G League, at least.”
Peterson scored 13.9 points per game for USC last season, shooting 44%. He also averaged 6.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Peterson spent three seasons with the Trojans after transferring from Rice. USC made the NCAA Tournament all three years with Peterson on the roster.
With that move and potential trades in Miami, Peterson has a solid chance to make the roster if he plays well this summer. The trade with Portland is still a work in progress, but it may include any combination of Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin. It would include multiple first-round draft picks as well, opening a potential spot up for the former USC forward.
“I think the biggest thing for me is that I can do whatever a team needs,” Peterson said when describing what he could bring to an NBA organization. “I’m here to fill any role, whether it’s shooting, passing, rebounding, defending. I’m your guy and I’m ready to be plugged in wherever. Where the league is headed with positionless basketball, I think I’m perfectly suited for that.”
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