Miami Heat president Pat Riley never ceases to amaze.
You know he’s aggressive when it comes to free agency (see: The Big Three) and trades (see: overpaying for Goran Dragic), but don’t think for a minute you understand the extent of his ambition.
Exhibit A, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald:
An official who has spoken to the Heat said two players of interest to Miami earlier this season were Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor, but neither obviously went anywhere.
DeMarcus Cousins? Jahlil Okafor? Good ol’ Riles has some brass ones.
I’d be curious to see what exactly the Heat were offering for either of those two. It had to be some combination of Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng, and maybe even rookie Justise Winslow. The Sacramento Kings would’ve had just cause to at least consider such framework, provided they actually believe in Whiteside, but the Philadelphia 76ers probably vomited at the idea of acquiring players who could help them win now.
Still, Justise Winslow would have been a hella fun fit in Philly. He plays defense, is athletic and, like the rest of the Sixers’ wings, cannot shoot.
Oh, well. The Heat will just have to settle for being involved in Dwight Howard trade rumors ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
