Despite Pat Riley’s recent track record, especially at the peak of the Jimmy Butler era, the Miami Heat organization is always hungry to pursue the next franchise’s whale. Luckily, he will have another chance to test the open market in just a few months with plenty of assets to work with, most notably in Andrew Wiggins.
The 30 year-old forward has looked like a talented two-way wing in his brief Heat tenure thus far. Wiggins has had several elite scoring performances, including the second greatest offensive showing of his career in a 42-point explosion late in March.
The problem has been the availability.
He has appeared in just 16 games out of the possible 32 for Miami. Ironically, they shipped out an injury prone Butler and replaced him with another No. 22 that has displayed similar problems. Wiggins has dealt with nagging hamstring and ankle injuries, including missing six consecutive games before returning to the court in Wednesday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat have several pieces— including Wiggins as a headliner, expiring contracts, young players and draft picks— that they could utilize to put together a strong offer for the next disgruntled star that shakes free.
But which stars should be the highest on Riley’s radar?
1. Kevin Durant
Let’s start with arguably the biggest name, along with potentially the most realistic, on this list. Kevin Durant and the Heat have mutually been linked together for years. And at this year’s trade deadline, that mutual interest emerged once again.
It should be no surprise if both sides resume those discussions this offseason. Riley always tends to circle back on players he struck out on, and who better to do so with than a certified future Hall of Fame talent like Durant?
With the Phoenix Suns officially missing the 2024 postseason, big changes will be coming to that core. And Durant will be the first name that comes to mind in that regard.
2. Damian Lillard
Speaking of Riley’s tendency to circle back, Damian Lillard would also fit that category if he becomes available. Lillard’s trade request to be sent specifically to the reigning Eastern Conference champion Heat at the time in 2023 wasn’t enough for him to ultimately land in South Beach.
However, this time Joe Cronin wouldn’t be in the way to sabotage any potential deal.
The Milwaukee Bucks have taken a step backward ever since trading away Jrue Holiday to bring in Lillard. Once viewed as the juggernaut of the Eastern Conference and former 2021 NBA champions, now they are scratching their way just to secure a sixth seed in the standings.
If they decide to pull the trigger on a soft rebuild, they can still recoup impactful assets to move on from the Lillard era.
3. Ja Morant
Regardless of Ja Morant’s recent on and off-court antics, he remains one of the most talented players in the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies are stuck between competitive and contender.
The furthest they have gotten with Morant leading the way was the second round of the playoffs back in 2022. Their defensive identity and intriguing backcourt with him and Desmond Bane have always seemed like a sleeper on paper, but the results haven’t shown that.
If the Grizzlies and Morant part ways, the Heat would be enticing trade parner. The Heat would provide Morant with much-needed organizational stability.
4. Trae Young
It seems like Trae Young has been rumored to be the next big name traded for several years now. The Atlanta Hawks Eastern Conference finals run all the way back in 2021 has proved to be fluke-like years later.
They haven’t sniffed that same level of playoff success ever since. And Young has seemed to take the brunt of the criticism as he enters the prime years of his career.
Young would pose as a perfect facilitator in coach Erik Spoelstra’s system, as Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware would be the biggest beneficiaries of his elite playmaking.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last, but certainly not least, Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the top name on the trade market— if a potential trade out of Milwaukee arises. As mentioned, the Bucks underperforming last two seasons could lead to some big changes to that roster.
Parting with Antetokounmpo in the prime of his career would be a drastic change, and one the Bucks would only entertain if the two-time MVP demands a trade. Any move involving the Bucks’ face of the franchise would undoubtedly require a mega trade package in order to get a deal done.
Even if it takes every single asset possible, landing a perennial MVP candidate like Antetokounmpo would make it justified.