NBA Miami Heat

Trading Luol Deng Would End Miami Heat Season

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By @ShaneRantSports

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The Miami Heat are already 15-20 this NBA season and begin a tough 6-game Western Conference road-trip tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. The first half of the season has not gone how Miami would have liked, but there is plenty of time to make up ground in a weak East. With two big free agency summers coming up back to back and Chris Bosh locked in for five years, Pat Riley just needs to stay the course and the Heat will return to glory in a year or two.

Yup, that sounds great if you are a Miami fan, but patience in sports is rare. I still expect Riley to make a move before the trade deadline or possibly pick someone up after the waiver deadline, but I did not expect Luol Deng to be on the market. Rumor has it that the Memphis Grizzlies are interested in either Deng or Jeff Green and Miami is interested in draft picks or trade pieces. I’m over here screaming “NO! STOP!”

It is too early to give up on the Heat season now and trading away Deng would be waving a white flag unless Riley can pull something incredible out of his rear. Deng should not be the piece that is traded. I still believe Miami is capable of more than what they have showed thus far. Half the roster is new, adjusting to no LeBron James is tough and they have dealt with a series of injuries. Developing chemistry and finding a groove will take some time. Like I said, I expect and believe that Riley needs to orchestrate a trade, but trading Deng is saying, “better luck next year.”

Shane Phillips is an NBA Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow Shane on Twitter @ShaneRantSports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network Google. You can also email Shane at [email protected].

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