NBA Trade Rumors: Heat Send Waiters To Grizzlies As Part Of Iguodala Deal

KEY POINTS

Heat finally deal away Waiters
Waiters gets chance to start fresh with Grizzlies
Waiters exit could be part of deal to make room for Gallinari

The Miami Heat have finally gotten rid of Dion Waiters, the player who they had been having trouble this season. The 28-year-old guard was sent to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Andre Iguodala trade.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Heat have sent Waiters along with Justise Winslow to Memphis. In return, the Heat acquired Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill. However, it will be interesting if both Crowder and Hill will get the chance to suit up for the Heat. As most know, all eyes are on Danilo Gallinari of the Oklahoma City Thunder who Miami is reportedly pursuing.

With the NBA trade deadline just hours away, it will be interesting what Miami is cooking up to acquire the 31-year-old forward. As mentioned in a previous post, the Heat allegedly plan to hand the Italian a contract extension once the deal is sealed. No numbers have been revealed as of this writing. He is likely to be given the same treatment Andre Iguodala got. The 36-year-old veteran will be given a two-year deal worth $30 million.

As for Waiters, the move gives him a chance for a fresh start. Things have not been well between him and the Heat but the change of scenery could help. This season, the has played in just three games. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and an assist in 14 minutes of playing time according to Basketball-Reference.com.

Waiters could up his averages and provide the Grizzlies with a boost. Memphis holds a 26-25 win-loss record over in the NBA Western Conference. Though they are inside the magic 8 for the NBA playoffs, they need to cement that hold by racking up more wins. So far, they are on a two-game winning streak.

As for the Heat, they are in a much better spot over in the NBA Eastern Conference. They are at the fourth spot with a 34-16 mark and have made key moves to ramp up their NBA playoff aspirations. Butler suffered a shoulder injury but was reportedly not serious. Together with Iguodala and possibly Gallinari, there is no question that the South Beach squad has improved chances of going deep in the postseason wars.