"There are a number of names who could potentially be available ahead of the 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline, set to be on Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Most notably, there's a chance that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade away from the Milwaukee Bucks. Antetokounmpo's situation is a ticking time bomb, given the team's subpar roster and limited flexibility to build around the two-time MVP with Damian Lillard's dead cap on their books for the next five years."
"Smith, who signed a three-year, $8 million deal in mid-August, is one of those players. His journey with the Heat has been a roller coaster, to put it lightly. They have waived him a handful of times, but Erik Spoelstra's well-known affinity for the 28-year-old guard kept him in Miami. He's spent time in the rotation each of the last three seasons, but multiple season-ending knee injuries have curtailed his journey."
"Smith's resiliency hasn't faded. He's appeared in each of the Heat's first 25 games this year, averaging 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 43.9 percent shooting and 35.8 percent from 3-point range. He is currently second in the NBA in steals per 75 possessions (2.9) and fourth in deflections per minute. Unless the Heat find another player with a similar skillset at an inexpensive cost, it doesn't feel likely that Miami deals the 6-foot-3 guard."
The 2025-26 NBA Trade Deadline is set for Feb. 5 at 3:00 p.m. EST, and several notable names could be available, including a potential trade request from Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks face roster shortcomings and limited flexibility to build around the two-time MVP because of Damian Lillard's dead cap for the next five years. The unofficial trade season begins with many players becoming trade-eligible. Heat guard Dru Smith becomes trade-eligible on Dec. 15 after signing a three-year, $8 million deal. Smith has endured waivers and injuries but is contributing this season with defensive production and rotation minutes, making Miami unlikely to trade him unless a cost-effective equivalent appears.
Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog
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