KEY POINTS

  • The Miami Heat are open to adding DeMarcus Cousins or Blake Griffin
  • Cousins or Griffin may be a short-term fix for Miami
  • The Heat will need to act fast on Cousins as multiple teams are also interested to sign him

The Miami Heat could use a boost right now considering their performance so far pales in comparison to last season.

An area that head coach Erik Spoelstra needs to address is their frontline unit. This is a spot that DeMarcus Cousins and Blake Griffin could ably fill heading into the NBA postseason wars.

Of the two, Cousins could have the inside track. “Boogie” has been released by the Houston Rockets who have opted to head in a different direction.

NBA teams are waiting for the All-Star center to clear waivers as a mad scramble for his services is expected to ensue.

One of those NBA clubs is the Heat. The 30-year-old player is on their wish list although there are other notable names.

According to Tyler Conway of the Bleacher Report, the South Beach club also has its eyes on players like Rudy Gay, Nemanja Bjelica, PJ Tucker and Griffin. But their level of interest depends on their availability.

From that list, another big name who is also ironically struggling to stay healthy is Griffin. The Detroit Pistons have opted to sit out the former NBA Rookie of the Year, hoping that a franchise will negotiate for the high-flyer.

Unfortunately for the Motor City squad, most teams prefer to play the waiting game and see if the Pistons will end up buying out the All-Star forward.

Given that Griffin is still owed roughly $75 million for two years, it is an investment that most teams are wary of.

Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin starred as the Detroit Pistons improved to 3-0 in the regular season. In this picture, Griffin #23 of the Pistons drives to the basket in the second half while playing the Philadelphia 76ers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Oct. 23, 2018. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Getting either Cousins or Griffin to Miami should not only add maturity but hone up their frontline. However, both veterans could be only short-term fixes.

Bam Adebayo could use some mentoring, but all this may not last beyond the 2020-21 season.

If he is made available, Cousins’ teammate Tucker could be worth a look as well. Although he is already 35, he is someone who fits the system of Spoelstra.

Not only does he show he can play big in the middle, but he also has some offensive artillery and that would boost the scoring punch of the Heat.

RELATED STORIES
NBA