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Trade sending Ryan Anderson from Rockets to Heat already in work

Ryan Anderson

Finally, the Houston Rockets could be on the verge of trading away stretch forward Ryan Anderson to the Miami Heat.

Since last season, the Rockets have been adamant on finding a trade partner for the sweet-shooting power forward. Anderson is owed $20 million this season and $21 million in the 2019-20 season. He has not been a consistent part of the Rockets rotation, especially in the postseason in which they were just one win away from beating the Golden State Warriors and reaching the NBA Finals after a long drought.

Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports and Sports Illustrated brought to light through his Twitter account the ongoing talks between the Rockets and the Heat for a possible deal involving Anderson:

“Now…a possible Rockets deal sending Ryan Anderson to Miami for James Johnson or Tyler Johnson, or someone else the Houston brass thinks can help? That’s definitely something they’d have interest in (no specific position targeted). But Bazemore isn’t part of their discussions.”

Surprisingly, earlier rumors have placed Bazemore in the Rockets’ search for a swingman to partner with Chris Paul, James Harden, and Carmelo Anthony. But it turned out that the team has been eyeing a possible deal to ship Anderson to the Heat and land combo forward James Johnson or combo guard Tyler Johnson.

In 2016, Anderson agreed to a four-year, $80 million deal with the Rockets. Before signing with Houston, Anderson averaged career-highs with the Pelicans and displayed his versatility as a premier stretch forward in the league. However, his numbers dipped as he found himself struggling to crack a consistent spot in the team’s rotation.

In the same year, the Heat surprised everybody when they matched the Brooklyn Nets’ $50 million offer to then-restricted free agent, Tyler Johnson. They retained Johnson, and also signed Waiters to a four-year, $52 million deal. Journeyman James Johnson has found a niche as a do-it-all forward for the Heat, averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game last season. He was also often tasked to defend the opposing team’s best player. On the other hand, Tyler Johnson averaged 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per outing last season for the Heat.

The post Trade sending Ryan Anderson from Rockets to Heat already in work appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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