If the Miami Heat were to pull off this bold move, they'd push themselves back into the Eastern Conference championship picture.
After one of the worst seasons in recent Miami Heat history, it's clear that changes are needed if this franchise is going to get back on the winning path. However, that will be a lot easier said than done. If the Heat are able to pull off this one blockbuster trade proposal, though, it would not only completely change the outlook for Miami, but it would also completely turn the East's hierarchy upside down.
Here's the pitched offseason deal (via Bleacher Report) that could help resurrect the Heat franchise:
In what would be categorized as a dream blockbuster deal for the Heat, they'd get a strong star who falls right in line with the timelines of both Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, while also getting some rotation players at the same time. They'd have to part ways with multiple first-round picks and one of their bright young prospects, but this is a deal the Heat should jump to make 10 times out of 10.
The Miami Heat's offseason pipe dream scenario
Heading into the offseason against the 8-ball, due to their limited tradable draft capital and absolutely no financial flexibility, the Heat are going to need the perfect pipe dream scenario to arise if they're going to feel confident about their situation at the start of the 2025-26 NBA season.
As unlikely as it may seem, the Heat need to pull off a bold move for a superstar player if they're going to be any level of competitive next season. Even though Miami managed to make the postseason this year, they were far from a "competitive" team. They were historically dominated by a Cleveland Cavaliers team that wasn't as good as advertised in the end.
If the Heat were to pull off a trade for Markkanen, it would significantly alter the outlook for the team. But there are a few barriers to that possibility coming to fruition. For one, there's still no indication that the Jazz would want to trade him. Secondly, if Markkanen did manage to hit the trade block, the Heat would be a team that could be easily outbid. Unless, of course, for one reason or another, the Jazz was infatuated with a player like Tyler Herro.
In other words, the Heat would need the perfect storm (one in their favor) to all come to fruition this summer if they're going to be able to legitimately make their way back in the Eastern Conference title picture. If that were to happen, though, and they'd be able to create a core that centered around Bam Adebayo, Markkanen, and maybe even Herro, the Heat would absolutely be back in the title picture.
Would they be able to break through and have enough to get past the Cavs, New York Knicks, or Celtics? Who knows. But the Heat, for all intents and purposes, just wants to jump back into the title picture. And this hypothetical trade, or something similar to it, would help the Heat accomplish that.