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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bam kelel list stops there.
No Niko at the list?
Well someone has to take Herro in a trade package even if it’s for a salary dump
4 of the top 7 are on rookie contracts. That should clearly show the path the Heat needs to follow. Youth, draft picks and patience. This is not the time to gut the team. It’s the time to rebuild it for the future.
I’m looking forward to this year’s draft and potential trades to help Miami bring in more young players and draft picks. I’m hopeful that management makes the right choices. The fan base will not tolerate more empty promises or continued mediocrity.
GO HEAT!!!
I’m totally fine with trading bam and herro and focusing on the future of this team. They are relics of the Jimmy era a bygone era. Thank them for all they’ve done and accomplished here in Mia and send them on their way.
I had a stupid idea:
Bam and the 13th pick to the clippers for the 5th pick. He’s out of the conference and you’d only have to deal with him twice a year also With that pick you are guaranteed a talented star potential player whether it’s boozer Wilson peterson acuff. My position would be to take acuff with that pick, dgaf about size because Mitchell Brunson maxey don’t have a problem and those are all nba type guys am I saying he will be as good as them……no. But he’s got the it factor and will put butts in seats at the kaseya center since that’s all this organization gaf about nowadays anyway
Herro to mil det utah or Brooklyn for fillers 2nd round picks and maybe a vet or two
This is my opinion and preference of what I think the best path foward is
Acuff might be the worst defender in the NBA next year. Like Trae Young, James Harden 4th quarter vs NYK bad. Trae had a higher steal rate in college than Acuff. None of the others would be available at 5 so you’d be trading Bam to move up 8 spots to #5 in a 4 player draft.
You’re right statboy. Plus why would they traded the greatest player of all time Bam Adebayo am I right.
The team should go after Giannis he’s gonna come here and hes gonna save this franchise. The bucks were plus +14 with him on the court.
Gotta keep the delusions of Pat Riley’s minions going.
lol now it’s a 4 player draft cause you would know. You’re a real fucking douchebag clown. Sit up here act like you can predict the future or something. You would lick bams assxrack if he’d ask
statboy loves him some bamass 4 sure
It’s a 4 player draft because Indiana put top 4 protections on its traded pick. Being in the top 4 in this draft is very different than being #5. It’s anyone’s guess who goes 5th
Question is why would they trade Herro for nothing in return because of his lack of defense, then trade Bam to build around the worst defensive player in the draft in Acuff
Said to be like the deepest draft in a long time.
Draft can be deep and also have a clear drop off in talent at the top. Top 4 Dybantsa Peterson Boozer Wilson all have arguments to go #1 but no mock draft has any of them falling lower than 4. Then there are all sorts of names at 5, Wagler, Flemings, Acuff, Burries, Mara
Good stuff. There is a notable drop off and it’s probably the difference between a sure thing and just a pretty good chance of the player being good, which is a big difference. And, btw, we don’t have to all agree. It’s definitely better that we don’t.
Yeah that’s why the Pacers were OK with making that Zubac trade way back in Feb. Been a consensus top 4 players for a while and 10 teams this year were tanking trying to get into the top 4 picks for that reason. But after 1-4 the draft is unclear
Also reflected in the Vegas odds to go #1. Of the top 4 Caleb Wilson is the longest shot to go #1 at 45-1. Then it drops way off to Acuff at 150-1
“Can find a good player at #41 and undrafted. Three of the 4 teams left in playoffs have an undrafted player in their starting 5”
2015Heat
So 2nd round picks and undrafted players are worth more here than any other team.
Down other comments but say shit like this
The epitome of a Mia heat fan put more value and stock to undrafted late round draft picks that will lead you nowhere except in the playin yearly
Late firsts and 2nds definitely worth more on a team that consistently drafts well. That’s Miami and a few others, Toronto with Ujiri had a good run. FVV was undrafted there and key rotation player on 2019 title team
2023 Heat had Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, 3 undrafted rotation players incl 2 starters on a Finals team
WCF has Hartenstein (#43), Dort, Caruso undrafted on OKC. Champagnie undrafted on Spurs
If they are going to trade Bam and Herro, I would like to see at least 3 first round picks and a couple of young players in return. 2026 & 2027 picks preferably. Mavs, Utah, Sacto, Twolves, Denver and Pelicans sound like possible trade options