Heat trade rumors: Chris Andersen signing makes Miami trade unlikely

Several of the NBA's teams will be active in the trade market as Thursday's trade deadline, set for 3 p.m. Eastern, approaches, but the Miami Heat probably will not be one such team. Miami leads the New York Knicks by four games--a comfortable margin--for the East's best record, and with 15 players under contract, the Heat don't have any roster spots available.

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Miami signed reserve center Chris Andersen for the remainder of the season on Feb. 8, and the veteran has helped addressed its need for depth in the middle. In 10 appearances, the 34-year-old is averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 10.8 minutes. Miami ranks No. 19 in the league in rebound percentage, according to NBA.com/stats, but that low rating hasn't stopped the Heat from dominating for most of the season.

ESPN's Chris Broussard reported on Feb. 12 that Miami, among other teams, "could have interest" in San Antonio Spurs big man DeJuan Blair, who has fallen out of coach Gregg Popovich's rotation. The signing of Andersen, as well as the presence of Dexter Pittman, likely means Miami will not join the Blair sweepstakes should the Spurs deal the former second-round draft pick before Thursday's deadline.