NBA Trade Rumors: Heading back to the drawing board, we predict 5 star players that the Miami Heat could be in the mix for this summer.
The way things have been trending recently for the Miami Heat, this is a team that will likely head into the offseason with some future-defining questions to answer. They're likely going to be swept out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics and it will lead to big changes this offseason.
The early whispers are that the Heat could enter the offseason in line to pursue an All-Star player that lines up with Bam Adebayo's timeline. If that does end up being the case, there could be plenty of intriguing targets for the Heat this summer. Building off that report, we predict five star players the Heat are likely to be "in the mix" for this offseason.
Honorable mention: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
Having just turned 29 years old, there's a case to be made that the Miami Heat could be a team willing to take a huge gamble on Zach LaVine. After refusing to take a shot on Bradley Beal last summer, and seeing how that hurt the team, maybe there will be a change of approach for the Heat's front office heading into the offseason.
If Miami could land LaVine for Tyler Herro, one of their young pieces, and no future first-round picks, I can't see why the Heat wouldn't want to jump at that opportunity. Especially if the Heat believes it can genuinely get the most out of every player in their system. Even though LaVine's reputation has taken a hit recently, he's still been a productive player throughout his career.
LaVine clearly didn't work as a No. 1 option for the Chicago Bulls. But LaVine as a No. 2 or 3 option in Miami could. If the Heat is willing to do a Herro for LaVine swap, maybe this is the type of deal that could end up paying dividends for both teams.
Paul George, LA Clippers
Paul George may not be a star player that is in line with Bam Adebayo in terms of age but if he does test free agency, I'd have to imagine the Miami Heat is, at the very least, going to be able to secure a meeting. That's what the Heat and Pat Riley have consistently been able to do over the last two decades. I can't imagine that isn't going to continue to be the case heading into this offseason.
Making a move for George, whatever the cost would be, is one that would help the Jimmy Butler build and the Bam build. Even though PG is going to be 34 years old at the start of next season, he's very much a player who is still playing at a high level. At this point in their respective careers, Jimmy's 34 and PG's 34 are two very different ages. Nevertheless, the addition of PG would take a ton of pressure off of Jimmy's shoulders and would help the team get 1-2 more shots at winning a championship over the next 2-3 years.
If the Heat wanted to find a medium between the Jimmy and Bam build, PG is the perfect option heading into the summer. All that said, it should be considered a pipe dream possibility heading into the offseason.
Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans
It's far from a certainty that Brandon Ingram will be on the open market this summer, but there are signs that he could potentially be shopped on the trade market by the New Orleans Pelicans. And if that does end up happening, I would be surprised if the Miami Heat isn't one of the teams that explores the options of acquiring Ingram. It could end up being difficult, considering the Heat doesn't have a ton of enticing assets, but he would be a great fit in Miami.
As odd as it may seem, Ingram is still just 26 years old and falls perfectly in Bam Adebayo's timeline. He would help anchor the slow transition away from Jimmy Butler and would be an excellent pairing with him over the next couple of years before he calls it a career. Ingram has struggled at times as the No. 1 option in New Orleans, but he would have a ton of pressure fall off his shoulders in Miami. This is a deal that could help Ingram take the next step in his progression as a player.
The big question is whether the Pelicans are ready to pivot away from this team's build and/or if Ingram even wants to sign an extension with the team. Heading into the offseason, those are two very big things to monitor.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
As the whispers continue to get louder and louder surrounding the possibility of the Atlanta Hawks trading Trae Young this offseason, you can’t help but wonder how a team like the Miami Heat wouldn’t be involved in such a bidding war this summer. Even though the Heat doesn’t have the assets that some of the other potential suitors may have to send the Hawks in exchange for Young, there’s a case to be made that he would be an ideal fit for the Heat.
As an elite offensive scorer and one of the best playmakers in the league, Young would be an excellent fit next to Bam Adebayo, with Jimmy Butler flanking on the wing. This trio would have championship potential and could rival what the Boston Celtics have going for them with their core.
I’m not sure if the Heat would be able to put together a package the Hawks would accept, but there’s no question that at least on paper, Young would be an intriguing addition for the Heat heading into the offseason.
Donovan Mitchell
In a vacuum, Donovan Mitchell has to represent the ideal trade target for the Miami Heat heading into the offseason. In an ideal world, Mitchell would be the perfect star player for the Heat to pair alongside Bam Adebayo this summer. They’re around the same age and in the same championship timeline, and they do have a prior relationship with each other.
Mitchell joining Bam in Miami wouldn't be LeBron James and Dwyane Wade teaming up in 2010, but it could rival it. If the Heat were to acquire Mitchell, it would completely change the immediate and long-term outlook for the Heat. The excitement around this franchise would be through the roof and they would instantly emerge as one of the favorites to not only win the Eastern Conference next season but also to win the 2025 NBA Championship.
However, there are big questions standing in the way of this possibility. Will Donovan Mitchell sign an extension this summer? If not, how will the Cleveland Cavaliers handle that? Will that prompt a trade and/or an all-out bidding war? How would the Heat fall in all that?
Despite the flurry of questions, the fact that this possibility isn't entirely off the table has to be encouraging for the Heat heading into the offseason. The question is, can they get a deal done if all the shoes drop in their favor?