For the second consecutive season, the Miami Heat made a giant mid-season trade.
In February 2020, the franchise acquired Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder, both of whom were instrumental in the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals last season.
This year, Trevor Ariza was the big acquisition.
Before his first game in a Heat uniform, the 6-foot-8 forward expressed excitement to play for the team.
“I always wanted to play for this franchise,” he said before the game Friday night against the Indiana Pacers at the AmericanA Airlines Arena. “It was just some place I always wanted to be. Most of my family are here. This is exciting, man. ‘
The addition of Ariza to the team provides the team with another proven defensive player who can put the floor on offense. He also has a championship pedigree after winning a title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009.
Fans, however, have to live up to their expectations for the production of the 35-year-old temper, especially during his first matches.
Ariza has not played in an NBA game for more than a year. His last game was on March 10 of the previous season, a day before the league closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He then opted for the restart of the season in the Orlando Bubble to concentrate on a family affair.