The Miami Heat have been the No. 1 destination named by multiple superstar-level players to have requested trades in recent seasons. This includes Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard but also includes Donovan Mitchell, who the Heat tried landing in the offseason of 2022 before being outbid by both the Knicks and the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers guard will be expected to carry the franchise alone for the next two months with injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley. Mitchell hasn’t missed the playoffs in his six NBA seasons so far, with an expectation to compete for titles by now instead of forcing the Cavs to get into the playoffs for a seventh-consecutive appearance. Teams around the NBA are already monitoring the situation in Cleveland, with Mitchell reportedly not looking to extend his contract which expires in 2025.
With Mitchell’s future uncertainty, an old destination could become a reality. The Miami Heat spent this summer missing out on deals for Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, with making a run at Mitchell their last chance. But what deals could the Heat offer to help the Cavaliers gain assets as well as remain competitive? Let’s find out.
First Trade Scenario
Miami Heat Receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2026 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
This scenario sees the Heat say goodbye to veteran point guard Kyle Lowry along with their last two first-round selections, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic. This also nets the Cavaliers two first-round picks, a decent haul for a player that’s expected to leave your franchise in free agency.
While the Cavaliers could get a better pick package from other teams, there is a lot of incentive in making a deal like this which nets them two unprotected picks with three players, instead of accepting salary dumps of bad players with lots of attached picks.
Kyle Lowry is on an expiring contract and would give the Cavaliers almost immediate cap relief as their salary bill expands. In addition, Lowry would be a fantastic mentor for Darius Garland and the ideal backup for him. In his absence, Lowry can do a decent job as the starter.
We’ll talk more about Jaime and Jovic later on in other trade packages, but we have to mention how their addition gives the Cavs two things they need. A potential future star at the wing in Jaime along with their young duo of Garland and Mobley, with a sweet-shooting backup big who could emerge into a star in Jovic.
Second Trade Scenario
Miami Heat Receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Swapping out Lowry for Tyler Herro in this trade scenario helps the Cavaliers land a player that could be a genuine long-term piece for them. His additional size would make him a better natural fit next to Garland in the backcourt, though the defensive concerns would still be alive. Herro may be bigger but isn’t a better defender than Mitchell, though he has shown flashes of strong defensive instincts at times.
Nikola Jovic is arguably the most intriguing piece that the Heat can offer. The 21-year-old Serbian hasn’t found immediate success in the NBA as Jaime Jaquez Jr. has found, averaging just 3.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season. But his success with Serbia on the international stage shows that he could thrive in a bigger role.
As an asset, he’d be phenomenal for the Cavaliers as he could either grow into being a valuable player or be an intriguing piece that the Cavs could unload onto some other franchise for more assets.
The Heat can’t justify giving their three-best young players as well as multiple first-round picks, so parting with the 2028 pick, which likely could convey after Jimmy Butler is either gone from the franchise or past his prime, will be a valuable get for Cleveland. These three players could make an instant rotational impact, and it’s unlikely any other team has a package like this for Cleveland.
Third Trade Scenario
Miami Heat Receive: Donovan Mitchell
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2026 Second-Round Pick (LAL), 2028 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)
The final trade package sees the Heat give up just two players, along with two unprotected first-round picks that could end up being valuable. Instead of adding Jovic and losing a pick, the Cavs get an additional first and a second as compared to the second scenario. The Cavs may not have the patience or the frontcourt space to let Jovic thrive, which isn’t the case in Miami with a long-term Kevin Love replacement still needed on the team.
Herro just returned from injury and scored 25 points after over a month of missed action, showing that he may be one of the most effortless guard scorers in the NBA. He may not have the best reputation but his scoring ability is unquestionable. The former Sixth Man of the Year has been adding a lot to his playmaking game as well, making him an undisputed combo guard who could provide a lot of versatility next to Garland in the backcourt.
Jaime Jacquez is the real prize in this deal for Cleveland. He’s having a sensational rookie season, averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists so far this season. He’s been getting a bigger role as the season has gone on, with many saying the Heat are better of with Jaime than they would’ve been if they traded him for Lillard. Mitchell is a younger and more dynamic player than Lillard who can be a long-term piece for the Heat.
Jacquez and Herro could maintain the Cavs’ position as playoff threats in the East while also giving the franchise some draft picks to recoup what they lost when they traded for Mitchell.
What Would Be The Best Scenarios For The Heat And For The Cavs?
The best scenario for the Cavaliers would be trade No. 2. Picks have been treated like liquid gold in recent seasons, but they only end up being valuable if you pick the right players or trade them for the perfect fit. Players, on the other hand, have a more proven value. Getting three high-potential youngsters should offset the cost of getting picks, as the players have a greater sell-on value if they don’t end up working. The Cavaliers want to make a concerted effort to contend, and they need to get players like Herro, Jaquez, and Jovic, who fill roster needs as well as being young.
Jovic could be the steal pick-up, especially if the Cavaliers realize they need to move Jarrett Allen to give Mobley a chance to develop as a center. Having a player like Jovic next to Mobley would be a great fit, provided Mobley reaches his ceiling as a DPOY-caliber player and Jovic can start contributing to NBA games. Jaquez could form a devilish wing rotation with former Heat swingman Max Strus, with Herro joining the backcourt.
All deals are good deals for the Heat because it ends with them acquiring Mitchell. But if I had to pick one, I’d say trade No. 1. It allows them to maintain their most reliable ball-handler in Herro and pairs him up with Donovan Mitchell in a scary backcourt. Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo next to them would make this a genuine big four that could compete with the likes of the Celtics and Bucks.
If I was the Heat, I’d like to find a way to keep Jaime protected but it’s unlikely the Cavs would even want to discuss a deal if they can’t get him after he’s emerged as an All-Rookie First Team candidate through the first quarter of this season.
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