Miami Heat: 20 Possible Trade Candidates To Monitor As Deadline Approaches

We are less than three weeks away from the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. The Miami Heat, who are currently tied with the Indiana Pacers for the No. 6 seed and a half-game behind the New York Knicks for the No. 5 seed, have already been linked to myriad names.

With 20 days left until the deadline, I did my best to narrow down 20 possible trade candidates that I–yes, I–will be monitoring for the Heat ahead of the deadline (Note: That does not mean I think these are the most likely candidates … I have as much, if not less sourcing than a piece of garlic bread.).

Miami might trade for a couple of players on the list; they also might trade for nobody on this list (or … *whispers* in general?!). Even though it was an arbitrary benchmark, the players I included were on teams who are five games or more below .500. Let’s dive into it!

Atlanta Hawks:

Dejounte Murray, G ($18.2 million 2023-24 cap hit):

Murray is one of the most-talked-about trade targets ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline–especially among Heat circles. Even though his overall efficiency over the last three seasons has been subpar, he’s shooting a career-best 38.3 percent from 3-point range and is getting to the rim at a respectable rate–a component Miami sorely lacks.

I would also expect his defense to look better than it has in Atlanta in Miami, where he will be flanked by Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Haywood Highsmith, among others. Perhaps the biggest question remains, as it does for the following 19 possible candidates: What would Miami give up (and what does Atlanta want?) and at what cost (of future flexibility with the second tax apron.)?

Saddiq Bey, F ($4.5M):

The Saddiq Bey-James Wiseman swap last deadline was one of the more confusing trades in recent memory. Could Bey be on his way out again? He fits into each of Miami’s three trade exceptions, so the Heat wouldn’t have to match money, and he’s a great rebounding wing whose efficiency has been helter-skelter from beyond the arc. He would theoretically add wing depth if Miami consolidated elsewhere at the deadline.

Others to consider: Patty Mills, Bogdan Bogdanovic, A.J. Griffin, Wesley Matthews, Garrison Mathews

Brooklyn Nets:

Spencer Dinwiddie, G ($20.4M):

Dinwiddie’s a crafty playmaker who can make life easier for everyone else on the floor. He’s on an expiring contract, so the price tag might be lower than expected if the Nets are willing to trade him. Though the biggest detriment is his efficiency; among the 120 players who have attempted at least 350 field goal attempts, his effective field goal percentage (.479) is the sixth-worst leaguewide.

Dorian Finney-Smith, F ($13.9M):

Finney-Smith, who was dealt ahead of last season’s deadline along with Dinwiddie in the Kyrie Irving trade to Dallas, is a prototypical 3-and-D wing. Though Finney-Smith and O’Neale (more on him below) could be reasonable depth additions if the Heat elects to consolidate in the frontcourt.

Royce O’Neale, F ($9.5M):

O’Neale, 30, is a do-it-all forward who would mostly classify under the 3-and-D repertoire as well. He’s shooting 36.8 percent from distance on 5.4 3-point attempts, with 4.6 rebounds. And while his 3.1 assists may not be a direct indication, O’Neale is an underrated playmaker who can connect the dots for Miami beyond the arc.

Others to consider: Day’Ron Sharpe, Dennis Smith, Lonnie Walker IV, Trenton Watford

Charlotte Hornets

Terry Rozier, G ($23.2M):

It was recently reported by Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer that Rozier would prefer to be traded to Miami, even though we know he won’t have the final say ahead of Feb. 8. Rozier’s having a career year and would add additional playmaking and shot creation to Miami, even though I’d still have questions about his fit into this current context. Regardless, his name is going to be thrown around a bunch over the next three weeks.

Nick Richards, C ($5.0M):

Richards, in the first year of a three-year, $15 million extension, has gotten a steady dose of starting appearances this season due to Mark Williams’ back injury. He’s averaging 8.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes and would add a defensive-minded, athletic big behind Adebayo that Miami’s sorely needed over the last five seasons.

Cody Martin, F ($7.6M): Why not add the other Martin twin?!? OK, maybe I’m biased. But he still has two more guaranteed years under contract with a manageable non-guaranteed salary in 2025-26. Martin’s dealt with multiple knee injuries over the last two seasons, but he’s a great rebounder who’s efficient and can defend multiple positions when needed.

Others to consider: Ish Smith, Gordan Hayward

Detroit Pistons

Alec Burks, G ($10.5M):

Burks, 32, is one of the NBA’s most productive bench players. He’s served his role well with the lowly Pistons this season, averaging 12.1 points on 39.6 percent shooting from deep. He could supply a plug-and-play role for Miami off the bench as a secondary ball-handler, theoretically speaking. He’s in the final year of his contract, and matching his salary/value could be challenging, so I don’t believe this is a super realistic option.

Bojan Bogdanovic, F ($20.0M):

Bogdanovic has missed time due to injury. He’s a lights-out shooter who’s netting 40.8 percent of his 3-point attempts through 20 games. He’s combined to shoot north of 40 percent from deep over the last seven seasons and has a replicable form off movement or off the catch. The contract is a lot, but the fit’s attractive, even if the fit (positionally) isn’t incredibly clean.

Monte Morris, G ($9.8M):

Morris has yet to play this season due to a quad injury, so it would be very difficult to trade for a guard making nearly $10 million without a 2023-24 sample. If anything, Morris would add depth and playmaking acumen, though it would be difficult to justify giving up anything substantial for him.

James Wiseman, C ($12.1M):

The cap figure may not be the best, but I’d monitor Wiseman because of Detroit’s logjam in the frontcourt. He might be the odd man out, but it’s more than likely he would get flipped to a non-contender for developmental purposes.

But who’s the best organization in the NBA at developing players? I’ll hang up and listen …

Others to consider: Danilo Gallinari, Isaiah Stewart, Mike Muscala

Memphis Grizzlies:

Santi Aldama, C ($2.2M):

I’ve briefly discussed Aldama to the Heat in the past. He’s a capable backup big who can space the floor, though he’s only shooting 33.8 percent from deep this year after knocking down 35.3 percent of his triples a year ago. He’s currently in the third year of his rookie deal and is one of the better backup centers the Heat could find on the market because of what he can provide offensively. He’s also a player you can stick next to Bam Adebayo in certain contexts.

John Konchar, G/F ($2.4M):

Konchar’s role in Memphis has fluctuated because of injuries; the Grizzlies have dealt with myriad backcourt injuries to Smart, Ja Morant (who was also suspended for the first 25 games), Desmond Bane, Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard. Konchar’s on an inexpensive contract, plus he’s a phenomenal rebounding guard who’s held his own defensively and is a capable 3-point shooter. Though he’d be more suited as a throw-in in any two/multi-team deal with Memphis.

Others to consider: Jake LaRavia, David Roddy, Luke Kennard, Xavier Tillman

Portland Trail Blazers

Are we sure Joe Cronin and Pat Riley want to acknowledge each other, let alone talk to each other after what happened this summer?!?!

Just wanted to make sure y’all were paying attention … next!

Toronto Raptors

Dennis Schroder, G ($12.4M):

Schroder, who signed a two-year deal worth the full mid-level with Toronto this offseason, would help the Heat have additional point guard depth. Not only that, but Schroder–while he’s been labeled a “ball stopper” in the past–is an underrated playmaker and excellent at generating rim pressure, which the Heat need. The 6-foot-1 guard is also feisty at the point-of-attack and is averaging 14.4 points plus 6.5 assists in 31.6 minutes per game this season.

Bruce Brown, G/F ($22.0M):

Bruce Brown recently became a Raptor in the Pascal Siakam trade this week. He’s averaging 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 47.5 percent shooting. Brown is a Swiss army knife that can guard up, screen (and roll), pass and rebound, among other things. He’s the definition of the so-called “winning” basketball player. It’s worth noting that he owns a $23 million team option for next season.

Others to consider: Jalen McDaniels, Thaddeus Young, Chris Boucher, Gary Trent Jr.

San Antonio Spurs

Tre Jones, G ($9.9M):

Jones signed for a bargain this offseason and, like his brother, is a very smart decision-maker and passer who’s capable of organizing an offense. The biggest problem is he’s never been an efficient 3-point shooter (26.3 percent), which could compromise spacing (even more) within certain lineups/combinations. He’s a name I’d keep an eye on for the summer if he doesn’t get moved within the next three weeks.

Doug McDermott, F ($13.8M):

Heat has been linked to McDermott, 32, in the past. His contract might outweigh his play at this stage of his career, though he’s canning 45.8 percent of his 3-point attempts and would automatically be one of the Heat’s top movement shooters.

Others to consider: Zach Collins, Cedi Osman, Devonte’ Graham

Washington Wizards

Tyus Jones, G ($14.0M):

Tre’s brother, Tyus Jones was one of the most respected backup point guards in the league before getting dealt to Washington in the three-team Kristaps Porzingis-to-Celtics trade ahead of free agency. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 5.6 assists and 1.2 steals on 52.1 percent shooting and 42.0 percent on 3.8 triple tries per game. If the Heat doesn’t want to move Duncan Robinson, his cap figure is in a grey area where it could be difficult to trade for him unless 1.) more players or 2.) another team got involved (or both). Regardless, he may be the best pure point guard in this trade cycle and is in the last year of his deal.

Delon Wright, G ($8.2M):

Wright is a defensive-minded guard who you could pair with Jones to make the path cleaner to match salary. He’s an excellent point-of-attack guard who’s 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan–thus, he possesses good size. He’s also not a poor playmaker and would likely carry a smaller role offensively, but Wright would be a good get for the Heat to shore up its POA defense.

Others to consider: Landry Shamet, Deni Avdija, Daniel Gafford

Who do you think the Heat should target? Let us know in the comments!

***

To check out our other content, click here.

Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!

Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!