NBA Trade Rumors: Miami Heat To Trade For Dwyane Wade’s Replacement; Udonis Haslem Could Be Traded

As Dwyane Wade continues to be bothered with knee problems, the Miami Heat are reportedly looking to trade for the replacement of the All-Star guard, a source close to situation reported on Tuesday.

According to ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the two-time defending NBA champions are currently pushing hard to trade for a veteran guard with the capacity to produce solid numbers as Wade's backup.

"With Dwyane Wade missing numerous games as he manages knee issues, the Miami Heat have recently started trade talks looking for backcourt help, multiple sources told ESPN," Windhorst stated in his article.

Filling Up A Big Shoe

Wade is averaging 18.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game despite dealing with soreness in his knees. The All-Star guard underwent procedures on his knee last summer, restricting him to playing back-to-back games so far this season.

The Heat have a 2-3 losing record with Wade sitting out on the bench this offseason. During the 2012-13 season, the Heat boasted an 11-2 record without the All-Star, but they had Mike Miller step up as Wade's replacement.

Miller averaged 10 points, five rebounds and three assists while he shot 49 percent from the field in 17 starts. However, the Heat had to release Miller via amnesty to save around $17 million in luxury tax.

Miller, who played a crucial role in the Heat's back-to-back championship run, is averaging 6.2 points and 3.5 assists as a bench player for the Memphis Grizzlies this year.

Without a solid reserve to back up Wade, Head coach Erik Spoelstra had no choice but to start Ray Allen and Roger Mason Jr. at shooting guard. Unfortunately, both players were unable to produce the same numbers as Miller.

Trading Bigs For Backcourt Help

According to Windhorst, the Heat could make seldom-used center Joel Anthony available for trade. Anthony has seen limited playing time this season, appearing in just five games.

Another possible trade scenario the Heat could explore is using veteran power forward Udonis Haslem as a trade bait. Haslem has been struggling to put up good numbers off the bench, averaging 2.9 points and 2.2 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.

"The Heat have an excess of big men and have been investigating the market for swapping one of them for a guard or to clear a roster spot so they can sign a player later. Heat center-forward Joel Anthony, who has played in just five games this season, is one of the players who has been available," ESPN stated.