With the Miami Heat actively trying to move on from the Jimmy Butler mess, the last thing they should do is take an offer just for the sake of removing Butler from the team. Let's take a look at three players the Heat should avoid trading for at all costs.
Bradley Beal
Out of all of the possible trade scenarios with Jimmy Butler, bringing on Bradley Beal would make the least sense out of any player. With NBA insider Marc Stein reporting that Miami would like cap flexibility back in a Butler trade, Beal's contract is the exact opposite of obtaining any cap relief in the near future.
Despite what is said about Butler's availability and regular season play, there is no world where I am taking Beal over Butler. Trading for a worse player on a larger contract when the Heat operate in win-now mode would make zero sense. Beal is having one of his worst seasons in recent memory, and adding another guard to a team that is lacking defenders is not good roster construction. There is nothing beneficial about a Beal-Butler swap, and this trade needs to be avoided at all costs.
Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine dealt with trade rumors the entire summer, and a large part due to why LaVine has not been moved is due to his contract. Over the next two seasons, LaVine is set to have a cap hit of $45 and $48 million with a player option in the last year of his deal. Similar to Beal, the contract has to scare Miami with the new CBA. But unlike Beal who is struggling, LaVine is having one of his better years, shooting 50.8% from the field and career best 44.6% from three while averaging 22.7 points.
LaVine can score in bunches and is one of the scariest players in the league when on fire. And honestly, a Herro and LaVine back court would be fun to watch. But in all reality, Miami is not trading their best player for another scorer. In a perfect world, the Heat are looking for an impact player on both ends, and LaVine does not fit that mold.
Brandon Ingram
Out of all the players I was opposed to trading for, Brandon Ingram had to be the hardest player of them all. For one, Ingram is set to be a free agent next season, and in a scenario where Ingram does not work out for the Heat, Ingram's contract can be off the books, giving the Heat the cap flexibility they desire to have.
Ingram would be one of the most talented players the Heat have had in a long time, and would provide the team with much needed size being 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. The main issue is Ingram's availability. Pat Riley challenged Butler in the offseason to be available in the regular season, and trying to acquire someone who has played in only 18 games this season would be illogical.
The Heat need to make the playoffs this season if they want to keep their 2026 draft pick. And while Ingram could be a risk that can pay off, I don't expect Miami to take any chances and would want players who are ready to play now and have a history of staying healthy.