Ranking the Heat’s 7 best trade assets entering 2026 summer

Another year, another Miami Heat star chase. Last summer, they notably went after Kevin Durant before he was traded to the Houston Rockets. Ahead of this year’s trade deadline, they pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ja Morant — and they will likely tread those grounds once again this summer.

But what do they have to trade? Last summer, we ranked the Heat’s eight best trade assets (excluding picks). With only 12 players on guaranteed deals, we dwindled it down to seven. Let’s dive into it!

Honorable Mention: Tyler Herro

Skinny: There weren’t many silver linings with Herro’s 2025-26 season. He entered last summer as a top-3 trade piece in the organization, but they did not capitalize on selling high. And it cost them. Herro averaged just 20.5 points on 48.0/37.8/91.7 shooting splits across a career-low 33 games.

Even though he’ll be a $33 million expiring contract, his trade value isn’t high. And it’s not worth continuing this partnership any longer; both sides would benefit from a change.

7.) Kasparas Jakucionis

Skinny: Jakucionis burst onto the scene as a rookie, averaging 6.2 points, 2.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. He struggled in Summer League and spent the first portion of his season garnering much-needed reps in Sioux Falls.

But Jakucionis was the Heat’s most efficient catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter, burying 48.1 percent of his spot-up attempts. Additionally, he was quite good defensively, and will have three more controllable years on his deal.

6.) Andrew Wiggins

Skinny: I could’ve easily moved Wiggins higher. I wrestled with it. But this comes with a big caveat: Wiggins has to opt into his $30.1 million player option. There’s a non-zero chance he opts out and either 1.) re-signs a smaller multi-year deal with Miami or 2.) signs to a team with cap space (the more unlikely scenario), barring a sign-and-trade.

If he exercises his player option, his $30.1 million expiring would be quite valuable, especially given his two-way skillset.

5.) Jaime Jaquez Jr.

Skinny: Jaquez was one of the Heat’s most important players a year ago, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 50.7 percent shooting and 57.0 percent true shooting. He showed incremental growth as a ballhandler and playmaker, and his team defense was good for the majority of the season.

Jaquez will also be entering the final year of his rookie contract and thus will be extension-eligible. The lone skill missing is a reliable 3-pointer, although his long-range efficiency peaked over the last month of the season.

4.) Pelle Larsson

Skinny: Is Larsson’s contract … the second-best on the team? Third-best? It’s quite high. The 6-foot-5 guard broke out last year and will be entering the final year of a $5.4 million deal he signed as part of the second-round exception.

He parlayed a very encouraging rookie season by developing into one of the Heat’s most consistent rotation players. Larsson averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists on 60.5 percent true shooting, and stepped up as a starter due to myriad injuries to Norman Powell and Herro.

3.) Davion Mitchell

Skinny: Mitchell was phenomenal in his 30-game stint after arriving in Miami in February of 2025. He backed that up with another strong season, averaging career bests in assists (6.5), assist percentage (29.1) and true-shooting percentage (58.2), adding on 9.3 points on 39.5 percent from 3-point range. Mitchell’s $12 million expiring is quite valuable — both in trade rumors (salary filler) and on the Heat’s roster — though he’s best suited coming off the bench on a contender.

2.) Kel’el Ware

Skinny: Ware still had plenty of ups and downs as a sophomore, but still came in at No. 2 on this list. His motor was still a concern, but Ware made leaps as a rebounder and long-range shooter. There were a few outstanding peaks, but just as many concerning valleys. Nevertheless, Ware has the highest ceiling. But whether or not he can ever actualize it consistently, due to his motor/effort, remains to be seen.

1.) Bam Adebayo

Skinny: The Heat aren’t trading Adebayo. But if they were hypothetically exploring that option, not a single player on this roster goes for as much as him. And it’s not particularly close. He’s a franchise pillar; heck, he’s this franchise’s pillar, although he can’t be the only one. No stone should be unturned, Adebayo’s would be the most difficult to.

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