Miami has been in the spotlight since they made their second Finals appearance in four years in 2023. The Heat were linked to Damian Lillard this summer but failed to acquire him and seem to be staying put with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. However, things can change rather quickly as the February trade deadline gets closer.
We have just seen the breakdown of the Knicks’ deadline guide, and now it is time to focus on the Heat who seem to be aggressively in the hunt for an NBA title from the Eastern Conference. In this February Trade Deadline guide, we will present trade candidates, realistic targets, and untouchable players for the Miami Heat.
Trade Candidates
– Kyle Lowry ($29,682,540), Tyler Herro ($27,000,000), Duncan Robinson ($18,154,000), Caleb Martin ($6,802,950), Kevin Love ($3,835,738), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($3,510,540), Josh Richardson ($2,891,467), Nikola Jovic ($2,352,000)
Kyle Lowry is a free agent next season and is making close to $30 million this season. Clearly past his prime and no longer capable of being a fixed starting point guard for any team, Lowry is averaging 9.4 points and 4.1 assists per game on 43.4% from three this season and has started every game out of necessity. For teams needing a large portion of their cap space cleared, Lowry’s contract could be enticing.
Tyler Herro is having a great season on an individual level, averaging 23.2 points per game on 42.9% from three in 16 appearances. The shooting guard has struggled with his health over the past two seasons and his absence was critical to Miami’s failure in the 2023 Finals. Miami has held onto Herro until now since he is almost 24 years old and getting better, but he is the prized possession for any team looking to trade their All-Star. Any blockbuster deal will almost have to include the former No. 13 overall pick.
Duncan Robinson is one of the best pure shooters in the league and is having a terrific campaign by averaging 14.6 points per game on 43.4% from three. He is making large money for his services, and while Miami wants to keep their best shooter, a deal for a bonafide star could see Robinson heading out of town. However, some might argue that he is overpaid, and that could affect his value.
The Heat franchise is very fond of Caleb Martin and refused to include him in negotiations for Damian Lillard. The forward is posting 11.0 points per game in 20 appearances and while he is a perfect system player for the Heat, the franchise might have to pull the trigger on a trade for him if it means creating a Big Three capable of actually winning an NBA championship and not just making a deep playoff run.
Veteran big man Kevin Love is past his best and probably in the final stages of his career at 35 years old, but he can still shoot the ball and make terrific outlet lobs on a fast break. Posting 9.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this season, Love has found a role with the Heat and is always a threat on the glass. If Love’s salary is needed for salary matching purposes, the Heat will include him in most deals.
Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr is slowly becoming an untouchable piece for the Heat because he is 6’6” and has the build to be an effective modern NBA forward. Behind Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, Jaquez Jr has been the most impressive rookie in the league by posting 13.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 35.2% from three. At nearly 23 years old, the forward can get better and the Heat might only consider him available for a top-tier star.
Josh Richardson is not making too much of an impact on a salary cap and as a veteran two-way player, he can be included to match salaries in any trade deal. The same goes for Nikola Jovic, who holds higher trade value as a 20-year-old forward with some hype behind him. The No. 27 overall pick has only appeared in seven games and might not get much of a chance to show what he can do with the Heat.
Realistic Targets
– Zach LaVine ($40,064,220), Zion Williamson ($34,005,250), Donovan Mitchell ($33,162,030), DeMar DeRozan ($28,600,000), Jerami Grant ($27,586,207), Lauri Markkanen ($17,259,999)
Zach LaVine is the exact player who can take over the scoring role from the departing Tyler Herro. While Herro (23.4 PPG) is averaging more PPG this season than LaVine (21.0 PPG), he might not be on the Bulls’ guard’s level as a fast-break finisher and shot-creator. If the Heat want to upgrade the shooting guard spot and feel LaVine is the answer for them, they could move on from Herro and two other players to create a Big Three.
Potential Trade Package: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic
A lineup that features Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Zion Williamson (22.1 points, 6.0 rebounds per game) would be very dominant on both ends of the court. In Miami’s culture, Williamson would have to buck up and get his weight at a reasonable number while beginning his path to true superstardom. With Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry completing the lineup, the Heat’s starters would be extremely effective under Erik Spoelstra’s guidance. No doubt, Zion isn’t scratching the surface of his potential and a chance to play in Miami would do him wonders.
Potential Trade Package: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, 2026 First-Round Pick (Pick Swap)
The Miami Heat have their eye on All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell and could break the NBA landscape by engaging in a trade for him. Mitchell’s future in Cleveland is currently up in the air and there is no doubt that a player of Mitchell’s qualities would love to live and compete in the city of Miami with the Heat. Mitchell would form the best Big Three in the NBA alongside Butler and Adebayo, especially with Robinson and Lowry along with them in the starting lineup. A trade for Donovan Mitchell would be very difficult to accomplish but knowing Pat Riley and the Heat organization, they will make a deal very interesting for the Cavaliers.
Potential Trade Package: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick
Meanwhile, as an affordable option, DeMar DeRozan should be available by the 15-21 Chicago Bulls who look to be heading to the lottery. DeRozan is a six-time All-Star who is averaging 22.4 points per game this season on 46.3% from the field so he would fit into the Heat’s roster as an isolation scorer and go-to option in the clutch. The Heat will go for high-quality characters who can fit into Miami’s system, and DeRozan’s skillset and athleticism would be a perfect complement to Butler and Adebayo.
Potential Trade Package: Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick
The Portland Trail Blazers are not a great team, holding a 9-24 record and trying to find ways to rebuild around young players while accumulating draft assets. Jerami Grant could be a perfect partner to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt as he is posting 21.7 points per game on 41.6% from three this season. A versatile defender who would be a significant upgrade over Caleb Martin, the Heat could start creating a far more formidable lineup while also keeping Tyler Herro.
Potential Trade Package: Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick
In what seems to be an excellent trade on the table that has to be graded very highly, the Miami Heat can go after Lauri Markkanen who is available for the right price. Markkanen was a first-time All-Star last season and is posting 23.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game on 38.1% from three this season, making him a perfect partner to Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt. If the Heat do not part ways with Tyler Herro, they might have to include two first-round picks to snatch him from Utah.
Potential Trade Package: Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2029 First-Round Pick
Untouchable Players
– Jimmy Butler ($45,183,960), Bam Adebayo ($32,600,060)
Jimmy Butler is the leader and best player of the Miami Heat, having guided them to two NBA Finals appearances in 2020 and 2023. Despite his age (34), Butler is still an untouchable player for the organization and there is no way the team can compete for a title if he isn’t on the squad. Since superstars Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, or Giannis Antetokounmpo are clearly not going to be traded, the Heat won’t pull the trigger on any deal involving Butler. Averaging 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game this season, Butler is gearing up for another playoff run.
The same goes for 26-year-old center Bam Adebayo. The big man is valued extremely highly by the Heat organization because he is an exceptional defensive player who is also an All-Star on the offensive end. Posting 21.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, Adebayo is an untouchable player for the Heat this season and going forward. While Butler is the leader of the franchise, the Heat do not come close to an NBA Finals if not for Adebayo’s consistency in the paint. With both of their stars locked in, the Heat can focus on other areas of improving the roster.
