The Miami Heat will reportedly pursue Danny Granger if the Philadelphia 76ers decide to release the former All-Star forward, sources said.

Sports World Report revealed that the Heat are closely monitoring Granger's situation with the 76ers, who acquired the veteran forward in a trade with the Indiana Pacers before Thursday's trade deadline.

Granger, who was traded for former second-overall pick Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen, reportedly asked the 76ers to release him, expressing no interest in playing for a rebuilding team.

Sources said that Granger wants to play for team who is expected to contend for a title this season, and the 30-year-old forward could get his wish soon as reports indicated that he is nearing a buyout agreement with Philadelphia.

"In the next short period of time, maybe even in the next 24 hours and announcement will be made on the direction our situation with Danny Granger will go," 76ers coach Brett Brown revealed in an interview.

"He most definitely wants to play basketball this year. He is assessing his goals at this stage of his career. He wants to play. I think he is just trying to sort out what is best for both parties and that has yet to be determined," Brown added.

The Heat have been looking to sign another guard or wingman in preparation for another title run this season similar to what they did last year when they signed Chris Andersen, who made a huge impact on their way to their second-straight championship.

But aside from the Heat, the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder are also expected to make a strong push to sign the nine-year veteran.

Sources said that Granger, who averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 29 games with the Pacers this season, is also interested in inking a deal with the Spurs and Thunder.

And if the Heat fail to land the services of the former New Mexico standout, reports indicated that the Heat will shift their focus on free agent guard Shannon Brown and veteran forward Antawn Jamison.

Brown, who averaged 2.3 points in 10.3 minutes during his 10-game stint with the Spurs earlier in the season, would be a good fit to the Heat as they are trying to lock up a guard as a backup option in case Dwyane Wade's ailing knee fail to hold up later this season.