NBA Trade Deadline 2018: Are the Heat buyers or sellers?

The NBA trade deadline is February 8 at 3 PM EST. And here at SB Nation, all the sites are taking a look at what each team is aiming for during the trade season. So, as the Miami Heat sit at 25-18 and 4th in the Eastern Conference, we still need to answer some questions about them whether they are going to be active or not.

As we all know, Pat Riley is always working something, either for now or the future.

Is Miami a buyer or seller?
That’s such a tough question, but I am going to say they are a BUYER. I think the recent surge to the top half of the East, and the play despite some injuries has a lot of us thinking that the Heat have a chance to make some noise this post season. I don’t think they would be content selling off players to save some money (which is not an urgent concern at the moment), and it’s also hard to be a seller when you don’t have many draft picks to dispose of to the buyer. Look for the Heat to want to make a small upgrade if possible.

The Assets and The Untradeables
If the Heat were to make a deal for anyone, their assets are slim. Bam Adebayo would be their biggest asset a team would be interested in acquiring to return a veteran that could make an impact. He’s young and shown good promise. But I don’t think Miami is ready to give him up, unless it’s a great return. If they were to be a seller, then Wayne Ellington is a prime candidate*.

Justise Winslow has almost become untradeable simply because he has not progressed to the level of expectation in his third year. He’s dealt with injuries and that’s hurt. Someone would take him, but not for the return the Heat would want for the 2015 tenth pick in the draft.

The Needs
FIRST: They need to find a partner to take on AJ Hammons from them with only a second round pick or cash in return. Hammons has spent all year in Sioux Falls and the Heat have no plans for him. They do, however, need to clear a roster spot if they want to keep Derrick Jones Jr. or Derrick Walton Jr. on the roster. I think they would like to figure out how to do that without waiving Hammons.

SECOND: The Heat could use a back-up point guard. With Tyler Johnson out and Dion Waiters (for the season), ball handlers are slimming. The Heat may want to find some insurance there if they were to do a trade.

Dream Trade Scenario
So how much are we allowed to dream?

Conclusion:
I think the Heat would love to be active in some way, I am just not smart enough to figure who they are OK parting ways with and who they are targeting in return. Everyone on the roster has some story with the exception of Hammons and Jordan Mickey that’s hard to see Miami giving up on them.

Look for them to be active but only to pull the trigger if it gives them a serious shot to improve now without losing future flexibility. Otherwise, they like their team.

*Josh Richardson cannot be traded this season because he signed a contract extension within the last 6 months.