The Miami Heat stumbled to a dismal 37-45 record this year, their worst since 2013-14, and were promptly swept out of the first round by Cleveland in a historic 55-point blowout. Behind the scenes, the Jimmy Butler saga unraveled, multiple suspensions, mics dropped, and a sour trade to the Golden State Warriors midseason.
Coach Erik Spoelstra admitted the situation weighed heavily on the team, acknowledging that the fallout “certainly had an impact”. Now, after the dust has settled and Heat Culture has lost its luster, Miami’s front office is staring at a pivotal offseason.
With expiring contracts, mid-level space, and draft currency, Pat Riley and Co. face a fork in the road: pursue realistic upgrades to complement Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, or chase star talent in a bold, possibly reckless push to salvage the franchise’s identity. Let’s explore the 3 most viable and 3 wildly ambitious targets they’re considering in 2025.
Realistic Targets
1. Kevin Durant
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Duncan Robinson (sign-and-trade), 2025 No. 20 overall pick, 2031 first-round pick (MIA)
Miami’s pursuit of Kevin Durant hits all the right notes, considering the potential for a Big Three. KD averaged 26.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, and shot an impressive 43 % from deep over 62 games in 2024-25. Heat legend Udonis Haslem even hinted on the Pat McAfee Show that Durant “fits into Miami Heat culture,” though he carefully avoided any direct endorsement.
That’s a strong cultural fit check; the Heat’s legendary structure and Spoelstra’s system could welcome KD’s confidence and efficiency. The price includes Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Duncan Robinson, plus picks in 2025 and 2031, which isn’t bad.
The upside: Miami gets one of the best scorers of all time to lead their resurgence. The downside: shedding Wiggins and Robinson weakens wing depth, and Ware’s upside is unproven. Is Miami trading for a superstar or mortgaging its role player identity?
Here’s the bottom line: KD would instantly put Miami back in playoff contention. But in classic Heat style, it also depends on how the depth chart could look like and what Pat Riley does around the stars.
2. Joel Embiid
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Duncan Robinson (sign-and-trade), 2025 No. 20 overall pick, 2031 first-round pick (MIA)
Trading for Joel Embiid is a whole different level of risk: imagine pairing Miami’s culture with one of the league’s most dominant centers, assuming he stays healthy. Embiid averaged 23.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 4.5 APG in just 19 games before undergoing knee surgery.
Yes, he’s dominant when available, but knee issues and missed games are serious red flags. If Miami sends Wiggins, Ware, Robinson, plus picks, they’d land a dominant interior presence.
Embiid brings elite rim defense, post-threat scoring, and MVP-level production. But he also demands touches, plays slowly, and might not fit the Heat’s culture of movement and relentless pace. Still, the Heat might not have choice but to go all-in.
The verdict: Embiid is a gap-filler who could theoretically help Miami contend overnight. But sacrificing mobility, youth, and cap space for a big man whose availability is never guaranteed? That’s a gamble but still a realistic trade.
3. DeMar DeRozan
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: DeMar DeRozan
Sacramento Kings Receive: Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2025 No. 20 overall pick
This one’s more subtle, no superstar in the deal, but pure efficiency. DeMar DeRozan averaged 22.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.4 APG on 47.7 % shooting for the Kings. He’s a veteran scorer, reliable and smart, with a clutch gene and two-way toughness.
Miami will likely continue to inquire about DeRozan, potentially seeing him as a Plan B if superstars like Durant are out of reach. Bringing him in alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro would shore up scoring and floor spacing without sacrificing draft assets beyond the No. 20 pick.
Plus, DeRozan’s postseason experience could help repair Miami’s early-round issues. That said, he’s 35, on a mid-level deal, and some fans balk at his fit; he doesn’t space the floor like modern wings.
Flashy? Not really. Productive? Yes. So this feels like a “win-now” boost without major cost and Pat Riley will surely like that.
Unrealistic Targets
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Kel’el Ware, Nikola Jovic, Terry Rozier, 2025 No. 20 overall pick, 2031 first-round pick (MIA)
Swapping role players, two youngsters, and future picks just isn’t enough to pry Giannis Antetokounmpo from Milwaukee. Despite speculation, even Miami making the “honorable mention” list, league insiders and analysts believe the Heat lack the necessary assets and financial flexibility.
We simply don’t believe the Heat don’t have the pieces to complete a blockbuster deal. Even the Bucks, fresh off playoff disappointments, seem unlikely to part ways with their two-time MVP and future Hall of Famer.
Yes, Miami offers appeal, a winning culture, and no state income tax, but without the package Milwaukee would demand (think multiple young stars and unprotected future picks), there’s almost zero chance this flies.
Unless Hero or Adebayo are included, simply put: Giannis in South Beach is aspirational, not realistic.
2. Zion Williamson
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jacquez Jr., Duncan Robinson (sign-and-trade), 2025 No. 20 overall pick, 2031 first-round pick
Once a generational talent, Zion Williamson’s value has cratered under health concerns, since his trade stock is tied to bad contracts and draft picks. It would take more than veteran assets and mid-round picks to convince New Orleans, and those come with fresh risk.
Miami’s vaunted player development could be a selling point; some believe the Heat can unlock Zion’s full potential. But those wellness and conditioning issues aren’t small issues; they’re strong red flags. With Bam and Herro already locked in, Zion would muddle rotations and deepen Miami’s injury risk.
In short, this would be a blockbuster lab experiment, not a firm strategy. Healthy upside? Maybe. But complications, cost, and long-term questions outweigh the potential and Riley might not bite on any deal as a result.
3. LaMelo Ball
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: LaMelo Ball
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jacquez Jr., 2025 No. 20 overall pick, 2031 first-round pick
LaMelo Ball adds All-Star-level vision and creativity, but Miami would hand over Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., plus draft assets, a hefty price for a player with durability and defensive concerns.
His style clashes with Heat DNA. Loaded usage, erratic shot choices, and reported lapses in effort make his fit questionable, and not worth dumping foundational pieces for it. Plus, Charlotte is unlikely to part with Melo unless getting back a haul nearly rivaling a young franchise rebuild.
At best, this is another headline-grabbing scenario, not a realistic situation. Miami’s risk threshold shouldn’t be that thin; a flashy experiment doesn’t roster logic for the short and long-term.
