NBA Rumors: Miami Heat Chances Of Retaining Kendrick Nunn Not Looking Good

The Miami Heat have a stacked backcourt, and some of the young guys may have to be let go.

With Victor Oladipo joining the South Beach squad, the future of Kendrick Nunn may be up in the air.

For now, the 25-year-old guard's stint in a Heat uniform is unlikely to be a hot topic. The Illinois native is filling in for Oladipo and has responded wonderfully.

Nunn is playing at a high level, and his efforts have drawn praise from teammate Jimmy Butler.

“He has stepped right back into the role he had and he’s performed extremely well for us. He’s learned all the right reads. He’s taking all the right shots. When the kid’s locked in on defense, he’s a player that you really have to pay attention to,” Butler stated.

However, it remains that things could change once Oladipo is back in harness. The Heat need to decide on Nunn’s future, and the soon-to-be restricted free agent is expected to get a qualifying offer from the Heat worth roughly $4.736 million.

But that will more or less be a formality with several teams expected to pitch a much better offer in the offseason.

To recall, the name of Nunn popped up during the NBA trade deadline. No deal went down, but all that should get sparked again once the current season ends.

There are at least two teams interested in the 6-foot-2 guard. His performance in the last five games for the Heat may only raise the stakes.

Nunn averaged 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists during that span as he stepped up for an indisposed Oladipo.

These are notable improvements from his usual 14 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.9 rebounds averages.

Given these as well as his proven ability to play at a high level, Heat president Pat Riley may need to decide soon.

Unless he is open to dealing with Nunn’s place on the roster after the current NBA season, there is a chance Miami may no longer afford the rising young cager.

Oladipo is seen as an upgrade by most, but his injury woes are a cause for concern.