Miami Heat trade rumors: Heat trying to pick up Westbrook in trade package

With teams gearing up for the start of the NBA season, their eyes may still be on some trades. Rumors are linking the Miami Heat to a superstar who could possibly bring them back to title contention.

At the moment, the Heat are looking like a franchise battling for playoff spots rather than the championships as they lost most of their core during their championship run.

However, rumors are claiming that this may change as it seems that the Heat are looking at Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder as their new recruit.

It may not come before the season begins, but the team could be eyeing him sometime within the season, preferably before the February trade deadline.

Westbrook has been linked to various moves since his former team mate Kevin Durant left for the Golden State Warriors.

The OKC guard signed a new deal, but many are still betting that he would move away from the Thunder if they do not show progress soon.

With that, the Heat may look to beef up an offer that could convince Westbrook and the Thunder to accept. ESPN's Marc Stein mentioned that the Heat toyed with the fact that Westbrook could have left the team once the Thunder lost Durant as well.

It could be a case of them trying again a little later down the line and adding more pieces to make the trade a little more alluring.

Goran Dragic is the man they have mentioned as the centerpiece of the deal, but there needs to be a few more players before the Thunder even listen to the deal.

It should be tough for the Heat to put up pieces to draw Westbrook to the team, but if they manage to do so, they are getting a player who averages 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.

Not only that, Westbrook is poised to have an MVP-type season as he is now the sole leader of the Thunder while only 27 years old.