The Miami Heat have always prided themselves on resilience, but even Heat Culture has its limits. After a rocky 2024–25 season that saw Jimmy Butler force his way out amid an ugly and public standoff, Miami barely scraped into the playoffs and now find themselves down 0-2 against a hungry Cleveland Cavaliers team.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have fought valiantly to keep the franchise’s edge intact, but the truth is unavoidable: the Heat need more firepower if they want to stay relevant in a brutal Eastern Conference where the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks won’t be going anywhere.
The next step is clear. Miami must get aggressive this summer and form a new Big Three to give Herro, Bam, and Erik Spoelstra a real shot at restoring the franchise’s identity.
Aiming for pure star power, Pat Riley’s front office has work to do. These four potential trade scenarios could be exactly what’s needed to reignite Miami’s championship DNA.
1. Kevin Durant
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Kevin Durant
Phoenix Suns Receive: Kel’el Ware, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson (Sign-and-Trade), 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA)
The Miami Heat’s culture demands winning, and few players in NBA history embody bucket-getter better than Kevin Durant. Even at 36 years old, KD remains a top-15 player, averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists this season on a blistering 52.7% shooting.
However, the Phoenix Suns’ superteam gamble has imploded spectacularly, and with their cap sheet a mess and their depth non-existent, they could be forced to pivot. Grabbing young center Kel’el Ware who impressed as a rookie with 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game plus multiple picks could be enough to lure Phoenix into retooling.
For Miami, Durant is a near-perfect fit. Sliding him alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro would immediately make the Heat a true contender again. Durant’s shooting and shot creation would take massive pressure off Herro, while Bam’s defensive versatility would help mask KD’s occasional lapses on that end.
Most importantly, Durant’s playoff experience and ability to dominate half-court possessions would restore the Heat’s late-game offense, an area where they’ve desperately struggled all season. Replacing the departed Jimmy Butler with Kevin Durant isn’t the worst scenario to move forward with, either.
2. Ja Morant
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
The Grizzlies are headed for a summer of uncomfortable questions, and none are bigger than Ja Morant’s future. Morant showed flashes of brilliance (23.2 PPG, 7.3 APG, 4.1 RPG) but also battled inconsistency that stemmed from some injuries but also a late season coaching change. Memphis barely made the playoffs and are staring at a quick first-round exit, down 0-3 against the OKC Thunder.
With their young core in place and Ja’s off-court (and even on-court) headaches still looming, it’s possible they look to reset and Miami would be foolish not to pounce.
No doubt, Ja in a Heat uniform would be electrifying. His ability to attack the rim, push tempo, and create looks would add a dimension Miami hasn’t had since prime Dwyane Wade.
More importantly, Miami’s locker room culture, enforced by Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra, and the front office, could be exactly the stabilizing force Ja needs to thrive. And getting Brandon Clarke (a versatile, athletic big) in the deal helps fortify a thin frontcourt rotation.
Of course, betting on Morant means accepting risk. His health and decision-making have raised red flags. But if Miami can manage those factors and they’re one of the few franchises that could they might walk away with a 25-year-old franchise point guard for the next decade. That’s a gamble worth taking.
3. Zion Williamson
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Kyle Anderson, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Zion Williamson is one of the NBA’s ultimate what-ifs but when healthy, he’s unstoppable. In 2024–25, Zion reminded everyone what made him a phenom, averaging 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on 56.7% shooting.
Yet despite his production, the Pelicans’ messy roster fit and Zion’s lingering health concerns have the franchise considering a dramatic shakeup. Miami offering Andrew Wiggins (a veteran wing who can still defend and hit shots), Nikola Jovic (a young big with upside), and draft capital could get New Orleans’ attention.
For the Heat, Zion represents pure upside. Miami desperately needs a third offensive engine, and Zion’s brute force, touch around the rim, and improving playmaking would immediately slot in as the perfect interior presence alongside Bam and Herro.
But as with any Zion discussion, the risk is obvious because he only appeared in 30 games this season. However, for a franchise that is only a piece away from being a long-term contender, the Heat might have to bite the bullet.
4. Trae Young
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW), 2031 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Trae Young’s days in Atlanta seem numbered. After another solid individual campaign that resulted in another wasted season in terms of playoff hopes (24.2 PPG, 11.6 APG but inefficient shooting and questionable leadership), the Hawks look ready to hand the keys to Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels and rebuild around youth.
Miami could swoop in, offering a package built around Wiggins, Terry Rozier, promising rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr., and two prime draft picks to form a superstar backcourt alongside Herro and Bam.
Trae would immediately solve Miami’s biggest weakness: consistent half-court offense. A Herro–Trae–Bam trio would be undersized defensively, but offensively, it could be devastating, especially with Spoelstra pulling the strings and building schemes to maximize spacing and quick-hitting actions.
There are concerns, of course. Trae’s defense remains a liability, and he can be prone to ball-stopping when things get tight. If Riley’s goal is to maximize the next 3–4 years, adding one of the NBA’s best playmakers might be worth the potential headaches.
