The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly exploring trading Danilo Gallinari to the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Heat are looking for players to put around 2020 Eastern Conference All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. On a night that the Heat also secured a deal to land former NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala, momentum could continue to pick up in Miami’s favor as Gallinari is one of the biggest names on the market as the trade deadline nears.
During Wojnarowski’s and Zach Lowe’s Trade Deadline Special on ESPN2 Wednesday, Wojnarowski said the Thunder are listening to offers but don’t feel pressured to move a player.
“Essentially, they’re saying, ‘We can go into summer and keep these guys, we can do a sign-and-trade for Gallinari, or we can move him now if we get a deal we like,'” Wojnarowski said.
Gallinari has helped lead the Thunder to unexpected success this season, entering Wednesday ten games above .500 with a winning record thus far. They currently hold the seventh spot in the Western Conference.
Miami enters Wednesday fourth place in the Eastern Conference and just a game and a half behind the second-place Toronto Raptors. If they added Gallinari, who leads the NBA in offensive rating since Thanksgiving, the Heat would secure a veteran forward to help lead the charge.
Gallinari is averaging 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with a 61.7 true shooting percentage.
Meanwhile, the pairing of Butler and Iguodala already gives Miami a fierce defensive duo to go with Adebayo. If a deal for the 6-foot-10 Gallinari can be completed, too, Miami would have a formidable front.
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