The Miami Heat are always a team that finds a way to get star-level talent on their roster. Team President Pat Riley wants to stay competitive and the best way to do so is to find some wiggle room in the trade market.
Per the latest report, Jimmy Butler could leave the Heat at the end of the season. This might be the final chance for them to acquire a much-needed star in order to win an NBA championship after losing in the 2020 and 2023 Finals.
Otherwise, the Heat could lose Butler and get no assets in return. The only way for them to keep Jimmy is to bring in another star who will help them win the title. That is where the idea of trading for a star comes in, with a deal for De’Aaron Fox possibly on the cards.
Currently, the Miami Heat are sixth in the East with a 13-11 record. They are not on the same level as the contenders like the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks. They will need a player to elevate them to another level, and who is better than De’Aaron Fox?
Keep in mind the Sacramento Kings are not in a good position with a 13-15 record and knowing that De’Aaron Fox did not sign an extension, this trade could be realistic for both teams.
Proposed Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive: De’Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings Receive: Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, 2028 First-Round Pick, 2030 First-Round Pick, 2026 Second-Round Pick from the Los Angeles Lakers
This is a significant package for Fox, but it will be worth it for an All-NBA player. He is also in his physical prime at 27 years old, which could be the key to a strong long-term plan.
Jimmy is already 35, but having Fox alongside him could lead to extending the Heat’s championship window. Butler is involved in many trade rumors, so getting him another co-star will probably lead to him staying with the team.
The Heat star is having a decent year with averages of 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists a night. If they don’t give Butler the co-star, they are in trouble because Jimmy can refuse to sign and leave them without anything in return.
The Heat Could Compete Against Any Team In The NBA With This Trade
Not only are the Heat getting a bonafide star point guard, but they are getting even more University of Kentucky players. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo are already representing UK, but having Fox there could lead to greater chemistry between some of the stars.
Herro has been the Heat’s best player in the 2024-25 season by averaging a career-high 24.1 points and 4.8 assists per game. The 25-year-old is having an All-Star-worthy campaign, which could be even better with an elite backcourt partner like Fox.
Miami finally gets a legitimate playmaker in the point guard spot. Tyler has filled in well as the point guard, but making him focus on his scoring could be the key to the team’s success.
Fox is having a fantastic season, scoring 26.2 points, grabbing 5.1 rebounds, and dishing out 6.1 assists per game. The performances he is having have made him one of the best point guards in the league.
De’Aaron could become the key to unlocking Adebayo’s offensive game because the big man has been struggling on that end of the floor.
Adebayo is scoring 16.2 points and grabbing 10.3 rebounds per game. His efficiency has been down to 44.3% from the field, which is incredibly inefficient for an elite center like him.
A Start Of Something New For The Kings
Trading away a player like Fox could start a new era for Sacramento. They have been competitive over the past few years but might have already reached their ceiling.
This Fox trade could lead to a snowball, as Domantas Sabonis will likely get moved too. He has been stellar for Sacramento since he got traded for Tyrese Haliburton a few years ago. But, the Kings might not be as good as they would have hoped after some playoff failures.
DeMar DeRozan will probably head out the door, but he will be a tougher player to move due to being 35. He has two more years on his contract after this season, which will likely be the final deal of his successful career.
With this deal, the Kings will likely commit to Keegan Murray being the building block for the future. The third-year forward is having a down year with 12.4 points per game on a career-low 29.9% from beyond the arc but can improve with more touches if this trade happens with Fox.
Nikola Jovic is having a decent season with averages of 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He is getting acclimated well into the league, which could improve with more opportunities.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s stats are down from his rookie year, but 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists is still pretty decent. His efficiency at 42% from the field can be concerning, but he should get his rhythm back.
Kel’el Ware is not getting many minutes during his rookie year, which has led to his averages of 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks per game. Although, he could shine if this trade goes through due to all the opportunities waiting for him.
Terry Rozier can fill in well for the Kings as a scoring guard. He usually thrives when he’s given more touches like how he was in his previous teams. He is averaging 11.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season, which could improve after a move away from the Heat.
The Deal Will Be Difficult To Pull Off For Both Teams
While the Heat are ambitious with most of their dealings, this will be a tough trade. The Kings will hold onto their star player as hard as possible. However, the assets they get in return are enticing due to their age and potential.
The draft picks are also enticing because they are a bit further into the future, and the Heat’s long-term plans are unclear. Expect the Kings fans to feel emotional because they have a genuine connection with De’Aaron since 2017.
He was the player the franchise believed in so much that they passed on selecting Luka Doncic with the second-overall pick in the 2018 Draft. If this does go through, that should mean the end of an era in Sacramento.
Teams around the league could be ringing the Kings because of rumors of Fox forcing a trade away from Sacramento. He wants to get a supermax contract before the 2025-26 season, and if he does not get that, the floodgates open. The Miami Heat could be the team to capitalize on that opportunity if Fox presents it.
