The Miami Heat didn’t make any major moves this offseason, sticking with most of the same roster that got bounced in the first round by the Celtics last year. With Jimmy Butler’s future in question—he didn’t sign an extension and has a player option for 2025—there’s uncertainty surrounding the team. Butler has expressed his desire to stay with the Heat for now, but as he enters his mid-30s, Miami might need to consider bolstering their roster to remain competitive.
A trade for Walker Kessler and Jordan Clarkson could be the perfect way to inject some fresh talent into the team. Kessler would add a much-needed presence in the paint, while Clarkson could provide a scoring punch off the bench or as a secondary playmaker. For the Utah Jazz, this deal would align with their rebuild plans, allowing them to accumulate future assets as they look to develop their young core.
Mock Trade
Heat receive: Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler
Jazz receive: Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, 2030 First-Round Pick
This trade gives the Heat two key pieces that can immediately elevate their roster. Walker Kessler would add interior defense and rebounding, filling a big need in the frontcourt. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson brings scoring depth and can provide instant offense, either starting or coming off the bench. On the other hand, the Jazz would continue their rebuilding process by taking on Duncan Robinson, whose shooting could fit nicely alongside their young core, while also acquiring Nikola Jovic, a young prospect with upside. The future first-round pick sweetens the deal for Utah as they continue to build for the future.
Why The Heat Would Become Better
The Miami Heat would become a significantly stronger team after this trade for a few key reasons. First, adding Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler gives them depth and versatility on both ends of the court. Keeping Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier intact while bringing Clarkson off the bench would create one of the most potent backcourts in the league, something the Heat lacked last season. Clarkson is coming off a strong 2023-24 season where he averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting 41.3% from the field in 55 games. His ability to create his own shot and score in bunches would give Miami a much-needed scoring punch from the bench, allowing them to spread the floor and not overly rely on Jimmy Butler.
Defensively, the addition of Walker Kessler would be a game-changer. Kessler has already established himself as one of the league’s most promising young rim protectors. In 2023-24, he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game in 64 games. The Heat could slot him in as Bam Adebayo’s backup, ensuring that they always have a strong defensive presence inside. With rookie Kel’el Ware impressing in the preseason—showing a consistent three-point shot and great mobility—Miami could even consider using Ware as the starting center next to Adebayo, while Kessler provides impactful minutes off the bench. This would give the Heat the flexibility to always have a shot-blocking presence on the court without sacrificing offense.
Losing Duncan Robinson’s three-point shooting may seem like a big blow, but his production has been inconsistent, and the Heat already have enough shooters in Rozier, Herro, and now Clarkson. Duncan shot 39.5% from beyond the arc last season, a solid mark, but his role has diminished over time, and his defensive liabilities often make him a target for opposing offenses. Meanwhile, Nikola Jovic is a project player with potential, but the Heat are in win-now mode, and improving their roster around Butler, Adebayo, and Herro should be the priority.
Another major benefit of this trade is that it eases the burden on Jimmy Butler. At 34, Butler isn’t getting any younger, and with uncertainty around his long-term future with the team, Miami needs to put together a roster that doesn’t rely solely on him to carry the offense. The trio of Rozier, Herro, and Clarkson would take pressure off Butler, allowing him to be more selective with his shots and focus more on leading the team defensively. The added firepower would also make Miami a more balanced team, allowing for a higher volume of three-pointers and better spacing, which was an issue for them last season.
With this trade, the Heat could see a notable boost in offensive production without sacrificing the defensive identity that has defined their culture. Having a defensive anchor like Kessler paired with offensive firepower from Clarkson and the current roster would make Miami a more complete team, capable of competing at a higher level in the Eastern Conference.
How The Jazz Can Come Out Winning The Trade
For the Utah Jazz, this trade would be a solid move for their rebuild. Duncan Robinson, a veteran sharpshooter, could be a perfect mentor for their young core. In the 2023-24 season, Robinson averaged 12.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game while shooting 39.5% from three. His ability to stretch the floor would complement the Jazz’s perimeter-oriented offense, especially with promising players like Keyonte George leading their backcourt.
Nikola Jovic adds even more upside to this deal. Jovic contributed 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 39.9% from deep in the same season. The Jazz don’t have much young frontcourt talent behind Lauri Markkanen, and Jovic would be a great project to develop. His versatility as a big man with perimeter skills fits well with Utah’s rebuilding timeline. Jovic could potentially grow into a significant piece for the Jazz as they look for long-term assets.
Both Jordan Clarkson and Walker Kessler have been linked to various trade rumors throughout the offseason. Clarkson drew interest from teams like the Knicks and Suns. Meanwhile, Kessler, with his elite rim protection, was also a hot commodity for teams like the Knicks and Lakers. The Jazz were patient, holding onto these key players as they waited for a trade package that included both immediate value and future assets.
In this trade, the Jazz come out with a future first-round pick, which could hold significant value depending on Miami’s trajectory, as well as a young talent like Jovic and a veteran presence in Robinson. It’s a balanced return that aligns with their goal of accumulating assets for the future while maintaining flexibility and developing young talent like Markkanen, George, and others. This deal helps them keep one eye on the present while focusing on long-term growth.
