Heat to audition athletic guard shrouded in some mystery

James Harden has asked for a trade away from the Philadelphia 76ers. Many around the NBA believe he’s just the first Sixers star to ask for deal to send them to another team.

Although Joel Embiid hasn’t said anything about wanting out, many around the league believe he’ll eventually ask for a trade. Even more, some believe that would kick off a full rebuild that Daryl Morey may secretly want.

The New York Knicks and Miami Heat are known to be keeping an eye on what could develop with Embiid, though there could certainly be many more teams interested in pursuing a trade as well.

Caris LeVert is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, after finishing the year with the Atlanta Hawks. If the Hawks have their way, LeVert will be back with the team for next season and beyond.

After being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the trade deadline, LeVert helped to stabilize Atlanta’s playmaking in the minutes when Trae Young was off the floor. LeVert’s size and ability to play either guard position or small forward allows him to play alongside Young in lineups as well.

The Hawks have full Bird rights for LeVert. That means they can re-sign him at whatever contract is deemed to be fair value. The nine-year veteran made $16.6 million last season. Atlanta has more than $39 million in clearance under the luxury tax before re-signing any players, giving them plenty of room to hammer out a new deal with LeVert.