Dwyane Wade Knee Injury Fuels Heat Trade Talks

Dwyane Wade has been missing more and more games due to injury over the last few years. His mounting absences could lead to the Miami Heat exploring trade options to add backcourt depth, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com.

Wade sat out his fifth game of the young NBA season on Thursday night. The Heat suffered their fifth loss as well, falling 107-87 to the Chicago Bulls minus Derrick Rose, who is out for the season with a torn meniscus. Carlos Boozer led the way in the Bulls’ victory with 27 points.

Wade’s inability to stay healthy has left a void in the Heat backcourt. Ray Allen, 38, was started by Coach Eric Spoelstra in Wade’s place. Allen was getting his first start ever for the Heat and Spoelstra has attempted to start two other players when Wade is out. Without Wade in the lineup the Heat have suffered three of their five losses, for a record of 2-3 when Wade sits out. Two seasons ago, the Heat managed to have a 14-3 record without Wade and last season they were 11-2 when he didn’t play.

A major concern for the Heat is a lack of depth in the backcourt. Sources reportedly told Windhorst that the Heat are looking to shop some of their big men, where they have depth, to go in a package with Wade. Joel Anthony, who has played in just five games this season, is the most common name to be included in the rumors. Obviously the trade would have to be right and the Heat are looking for a top notch backcourt player.

When the season started, Wade was supposed to sit out the second games of the grueling back to back games scheduled over the course of the 82 game season. The Heat have six back-to-backs scheduled over the next six weeks. Dwyane Wade is not getting healthy any time soon and if the losing continues, the Heat will have to get serious about a trade.