The Miami Heat have their eye on Utah Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt, according to an Eastern Conference executive per Heavy Sports NBA Insider Sean Deveney. Vanderbilt has been solid this season, with his team off to a hot 5-2 start. He’s averaging 8.4 points, nine rebounds, and 1.7 steals.
While Vanderbilt has been productive on the glass and in the scoring department, his versatility and ability to defend multiple positions make Miami interested in the 23-year-old.
“They hoped to get Utah to give up Jarred Vanderbilt—they want defense at that spot,” said the executive to Heavy Sports.” They want to see what they have with guys like Caleb Martin, see how he handles that spot.”
Losing P.J. Tucker during the offseason was a significant loss for the Heat, and not bringing in any critical players on top of that did not help their case either. Tucker’s absence is starting to show after Miami opened up the campaign with a disappointing 2-5 record.
Adding Vanderbilt to this struggling roster can work wonders, and it may just be what this team is missing. The young forward has even shown signs of his new and improved three-point shot, shooting it at a career-best 42.9 percent. Undoubtedly, he would adapt nicely alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt, which operates mainly in the paint. Nevertheless, the Heat have time to make this call. The NBA trade deadline is on Feb.9.
Miami is back in action on Nov. 1 when they take on the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors.
