Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The Miami Heat are reportedly keeping tabs on several players in hopes of upgrading ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, both the Heat and Denver Nuggets have been linked to New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday. Lowe noted that Miami may have to include Tyler Herro in a deal for Holiday if it wants to avoid looping in another team, but sources said it was "unlikely."

Lowe also reported that the Heat have shown interest in Oklahoma City Thunder forward Danilo Gallinari and Portland Trail Blazers wing Trevor Ariza.

After missing the playoffs with a 39-43 record last season, the Heat have re-established themselves as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Miami owns a 33-15 record, which ties them with the Boston Celtics for the third seed.

The signing of Jimmy Butler has played a huge role in the Heat's revival, but he is far from the only reason why they are championship contenders once again.

Center Bam Adebayo has developed into an All-Star in this third NBA season, rookies Herro and Kendrick Nunn are playing above expectations and veteran guard Goran Dragic continues to be a steady contributor for head coach Erik Spoelstra's team.

While Miami boasts a lot of depth and a star in Butler, it would likely benefit greatly from another All-Star-caliber player if it wants to compete with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.

The 29-year-old Holiday is a one-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive Team selection. He enjoyed a career 2018-19 season with averages of 21.1 points, 7.7 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game, and he hasn't been too far off from that this campaign with 19.7 points, 6.3 assists and 4.7 boards per contest.

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New Orleans is 4.5 games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, and with Zion Williamson healthy and playing well, head coach Alvin Gentry may want to see how his other young players mesh with the 2019 No. 1 overall selection.

Among them are guards Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who would all likely see more playing time if Holiday is dealt. Holiday also has only one more year left on his contract before he can opt out, so trading him now may be the best way to maximize his value.

The Heat have several quality guards and players who are capable of handling the ball, but Holiday much more closely resembles a true point guard than anyone on their roster. He owns a career average of 6.4 assists per game and has reached the 7.0 assist mark four times in his career. Of any potentially available player, he may be the best fit for Miami.

If the Heat can't reach a deal for Holiday, then Gallinari and Ariza stand out as quality consolation prizes, albeit at different areas of need.

The 31-year-old Gallinari has long been one of the NBA's best three-point shooters, and he has arguably been better than ever in that regard this season. The Thunder forward is making a career-high 3.0 treys per game and connecting at a 41.0 percent clip from beyond the arc. He is also averaging 19.2 points and 5.7 rebounds.

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OKC may be willing to move Gallinari since he is on an expiring deal. But the Thunder are the No. 7 seed in the West at 30-20 and are only four games out of third, so they may opt to play the season out with what they have.

If the Thunder do move him, however, Gallinari would add another weapon to a Heat team that already ranks second in the NBA in three-point shooting percentage.

The 34-year-old Ariza would likely be the cheapest to acquire since he has primarily been a role player this season. Also, since only $1.8 million of his $12.8 million salary for the next campaign is guaranteed, Miami wouldn't have to commit to him beyond this season.

In 37 games (32 with the Sacramento Kings and five with the Blazers), Ariza is averaging 6.7 points and 4.6 rebounds. He has been significantly better since the trade to Portland, though, with an average of 11.4 points per game.

Ariza entered 2019-20 having averaged double figures in scoring and at least two three-pointers per game in each of the previous six campaigns. He is also a quality perimeter defender.

Perhaps Ariza wouldn't make as big of an impact as Holiday or Gallinari, but with Justise Winslow nursing a back injury, Ariza would be able to replace much of what has been lost during Winslow's absence.