Grade the Trade: Heat grab Trae Young in shocking proposal
By Tyler Watts
The Miami Heat are always searching for a star player to add to their roster. Damian Lillard has requested a trade and wants to come to South Beach. The talks between the Heat and Blazers have not gained any traction but could pick up as training camp draws near. There are zero guarantees that Lillard will end up in Miami, but that won’t stop the Heat from chasing another star.
James Harden and Pascal Siakam are available and others will hit the market before February’s deadline. The Heat owe their 2025 first-round pick to the Thunder with a top-14 protection. They can trade two first-round draft picks plus young talent and salaries to match. It may not be enough to acquire a top-five player, but never count out Pat Riley’s ability to land a star.
If the Heat are out on Lillard and Harden, can they pivot to find another marquee name? Miami would love to upgrade over Kyle Lowry, but can they find the right fit next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo?
What star point guards will be available to the Miami Heat?
The Heat will be in on Dame until he is traded out of Portland. It could happen before the regular season or at the trade deadline. Fans will remember Kevin Durant requested a trade in the 2022 offseason but ended up playing the first half of last season with the Nets before being dealt to the Suns in February. Fans could see a repeat with Lillard.
Beyond that, Trae Young, Zach LaVine, and Chris Paul headline the names that could become available. Acquiring any of the three is a bit of a gamble, but one the Miami Heat might take to improve their title odds. They have been in the finals in two of the last four years, but Riley won’t be happy until he gets that tenth ring.
Could the Miami Heat land a young star point guard like Ice Trae? They did just that in a recent proposal.