Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Miami Heat are looking to trade for a star. This time around, the Heat are aggressively pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. Given their combination of tradable contracts, draft capital, and intriguing young talent, Miami should firmly be in the mix for Giannis.
However, it feels like an annual occurrence. Miami is in the mix for the biggest names on the trade market before striking out on them at the last minute. As the Heat are always hellbent on remaining competitive, they’ll have to pivot to adding another star if and when they strike out on Giannis.
Let’s dive into a few options they may have.
Please note that these are speculative trade ideas for fun and not actual rumors or reports. All trades are possible this offseason, according to Spotrac.
From swapping flawed stars with Minnesota to rolling the dice on a mercurial Memphis guard to making an aggressive swing for a two-time Finals MVP, here are three backup plans for the Heat if the Giannis dream dies.
The Herro-Randle Swap: Trading Flawed Stars Who Need a Change of Scenery
Let’s start with the most realistic option.
It would be shocking to me if the Heat brought back both Tyler Herro and Norman Powell after they refused to play them together down the stretch of the season. At the surface level, Powell is a free agent and older, so Miami is more likely to keep Herro. Regardless, Herro’s need for a new contract could make re-signing Powell and trading Herro the better decision.
If the Heat move off Herro, a swap for Julius Randle strikes me as an advantageous move for both sides. Miami has long reported interest in Randle dating back to the 2024 offseason.
The proposed trade:
Miami receives: Julius Randle
Minnesota receives: Tyler Herro
Why for Miami: Adding Randle would give the Heat a formidable frontcourt trio with him, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware. Bam’s improved shooting and Ware’s floor-spacing abilities could make this pairing work. Always playing two of these three big men could help the Heat match up with other teams in a league that increasingly prioritizes size. Randle’s shot creation and All-Star-level production could also help the Heat.
Why for Minnesota: The Timberwolves have long been searching for dependable star-level perimeter creation around Anthony Edwards, making Herro an ideal addition, especially after Randle’s subpar playoffs.
At the end of the day, both Herro and Randle are flawed players (for different reasons), but each team could benefit from this swap.
The Ja Morant Gamble: Rolling the Dice on a Former All-Star
Let’s talk about the high-risk, high-reward option.
Ja Morant feels like an obvious target for the Heat. At the deadline, Miami “discussed but ultimately decided not to pursue Morant.” Nevertheless, if they strike out on Giannis and still want to add a big name, it’s fair to believe they’ll be linked to Ja.
Given his likely low price, Morant feels like a classic Pat Riley move. Beyond that, the Heat lack a true lead guard, making Morant a worthy gamble, especially given the Heat’s winning culture.
The proposed trade:
Miami receives: Ja Morant
Memphis receives: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jović, 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected)
Why for Miami: Being able to get out of Nikola Jović’s contract is a nice plus for Miami, and this, in turn, makes giving up a first-round pick more understandable. Trading for Morant is a risk given his injury history and declining production, but at this price, I think it’s a worthy gamble for Miami.
Why for Memphis: The Grizzlies get a veteran wing in Wiggins who can contribute immediately, a young prospect in Jović, and a future first-round pick. They move on from the Morant era and reset around Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
Now it’s worth debating if the Heat would rather include one of Herro or Powell (in a sign-and-trade) as the centerpiece of this deal instead of Andrew Wiggins. Neither player is a clear fit in Memphis, though, which is why I decided on Wiggins as the centerpiece.
The Kawhi Leonard Swing: An Aggressive Move for a Two-Time Finals MVP
Let’s talk about the most aggressive option on this list.
My first two trades feel like classic Heat half measures. I’m sure Heat fans want more of a needle-moving addition. And Kawhi Leonard feels like the next best option if Miami wants to make a game-changing trade.
Leonard is still playing at an elite level, and he would give the Heat a genuine No. 1 scoring option. Miami wouldn’t have a perfect roster after this move, but it would give them a puncher’s chance in the East.
The proposed trade:
Miami receives: Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jović, No. 13 overall pick, 2030 first-round pick, 2033 first-round pick swap
Why for Miami: It would undoubtedly hurt to lose Jaime Jaquez Jr., but you have to sacrifice some value in any deal. Similarly, sure, two first-round picks and a pick swap might seem like a lot, but the No. 13 overall pick this year could very well be the highest pick they are giving up. Plus, as discussed earlier, it would behoove them to trade Herro and Jović.
Why for LA Clippers: The Clippers get a massive haul for an aging star who has struggled to stay healthy. Herro becomes their new franchise guard. Jaquez is a young, versatile wing. Jović has potential. And the picks give them future assets.
Overall, it’s fair to wonder if the Heat would make this aggressive a move, but if it’s not Giannis, Kawhi would be Miami’s next best option for a true star swing.
The Common Thread: Moving On From Tyler Herro
Let’s notice a pattern.
In two of these three trades, Tyler Herro is the centerpiece going out. In the third, he’s replaced by Andrew Wiggins, but the sentiment is the same: the Heat are ready to move on from the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year.
Herro is a good player. He averaged 20+ points per game last season. He’s a proven playoff performer. But he’s not a superstar. He’s not a No. 1 option. And he’s about to get expensive.
The Heat have a decision to make: pay Herro or trade him. These trades all assume they choose the latter.
The Giannis Question: What If the Dream Comes True?
Let’s not pretend these are the Heat’s first choice.
The Heat are aggressively pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s the dream. He’s the two-time MVP. He’s the Finals MVP. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year. He’s a top-3 player.
If the Heat land Giannis, none of these backup plans matter. They’ll build around Giannis and Bam Adebayo. They’ll be instant contenders in the Eastern Conference.
But if they don’t – if Giannis goes to the Knicks or the Warriors or stays in Milwaukee – the Heat need a Plan B.
Randle, Morant, and Leonard are all viable Plan Bs.
The Pat Riley Factor: Why the Heat Are Never Out of the Hunt
Let’s talk about the man pulling the strings.
Pat Riley is 81 years old. He’s not going to sit through a rebuild. He wants to win now. He’s always wanted to win now.
Riley has a history of making bold moves. He traded for Shaquille O’Neal. He signed LeBron James and Chris Bosh. He traded for Jimmy Butler. He’s not afraid to swing for the fences.
If Giannis isn’t available, Riley will pivot. He’ll find another star. He’ll make another bold move.
That’s why the Heat are always in the mix. That’s why they’re never out of the hunt.
The Eastern Conference Landscape: Why the Heat Need to Make a Move
Let’s zoom out.
The Eastern Conference is loaded. The Celtics have Tatum and Brown. The Bucks have Giannis (for now). The 76ers have Embiid. The Knicks have Brunson and a deep roster. The Cavaliers have Mitchell and Mobley.
The Heat have Bam Adebayo and a lot of question marks.
They need a second star. They need a No. 1 scoring option. They need someone who can take over in the fourth quarter.
Randle, Morant, and Leonard all fit that description in different ways. None are perfect. But all would make the Heat better.
The Miami Heat are aggressively pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s the dream. That’s the home run.
But dreams don’t always come true. And the Heat need a backup plan.
Plan B: Trade Tyler Herro for Julius Randle. Swap flawed stars who need a change of scenery. Give Miami a formidable frontcourt trio.
Plan C: Roll the dice on Ja Morant. A high-risk, high-reward gamble on a former All-Star who could be the Heat’s lead guard for the next five years.
Plan D: Swing for Kawhi Leonard. An aggressive move for a two-time Finals MVP who would instantly become Miami’s No. 1 scoring option.
None of these trades are perfect. All come with risks. But all would make the Heat better.
And if the Giannis dream dies, Pat Riley will have to choose his next move.
The NBA offseason is about to get very interesting.
And the Miami Heat will be at the center of it all.