Miami Heat Give Up on Dexter Pittman

Today, on the last day of this season’s NBA trade deadline, the Miami Heat gave up on their project of Dexter Pittman by sending him to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for a trade exception. The Heat also sent a 2013 second round draft pick to the Grizzlies.

Pittman was drafted in the second round of the 2010 NBA Draft by the Heat along with Jarvis Varnado with the hopes that could become the franchise’s center of the future. Unfortunately for Pittman, he wasn’t able to truly become part of Miami’s rotation during his tenure.

It wasn’t for a lack of trying as Pittman did his part when it came to weight control. The rest of his all around game wasn’t able to catch up with the progress he made in keeping his weight down as Pittman only appeared in four games for the Heat this season and was constantly being sent down to the D-League. With Miami’s weakness in rebounding being more visible this season, the team’s patience for Pittman to progress finally ran out.

In getting a trade exception instead of a player back from Memphis the Heat have opened up some avenues with an open roster spot. Varnado, whom the team signed  for the remainder of the season, can be groomed with more security about possibly staying with the franchise next year.

Miami can also wait to see if the Denver Nuggets choose to either waiveor buy out Timofey Mozgov as they have shown interest in him. The Heat could also use the trade exception to possibly sign Greg Oden in the off season. Miami was only able to offer the veteran minimum to Oden due to their salary cap situation before acquiring the trade exception.