Big changes are expected for the Miami Heat this offseason.
The organization has made it clear that they are not content with the mediocrity that's plagued them for the last several years. For this franchise, change usually comes in the form of landing a star.
The Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors have been buzzing for years now, and they've reached a fever pitch recently with the Bucks' star seemingly on his way out of Milwaukee. But the Heat would be wise not to put all their eggs in one basket; they should (and realistically are) prepare for a number of contingencies.
Here are five players the Heat should at the very least have on their radar this summer in the event their Plan A doesn't come to be.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
This is another name that's been associated with the Heat all season, and for good reason. Ja Morant's time in Memphis appears to be coming to an end, with the franchise gearing up for a formal rebuild. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., the franchise's two other tentpoles during this era, have already been shipped out the door, and there's been visible friction between Morant and their head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
A Morant trade was always likely to happen this summer, but with the Grizzlies jumping up to the third overall pick in the 2026 Draft Lottery, it now feels inevitable. The good thing for the Heat (or any other potential suitor) is that, between injury issues, off-court drama, and diminished performance this season, the asking price for Morant is as low as it's ever been.
There are a couple of reasons why Morant is a fit in Miami. First and foremost, his ability to get into the paint and create shots for himself and his teammates is truly elite when he's at his best. Having a player like that in the Heat's backcourt could really stimulate their offense in ways no current player on the team can. The team's defensive infrastructure is also sound enough that they could reasonably expect to hold up on that end (Morant was a part of multiple top defenses in Memphis, after all).
The Heat also has Davion Mitchell, who can serve as a quality backup when Morant is healthy and step into his starting role when he inevitably misses games (assuming he isn't shipped out the door). These are key components of the formula that Memphis used to win 50 games multiple times during the Morant era, and the Heat already have them in-house.
A swing for Morant would represent a real Heat Culture gamble. If Miami thinks they can rehabilitate Morant's value on and off the court, there's a world where they land one of the game's most electric stars and marketable personalities for relatively cheap. If it doesn't work out, Morant only has two more seasons left on his contract; the $44.8 million owed to him in 2027-28 could reasonably be used as salary filler in another star trade. It's a relatively low-risk, high-reward play the Heat should consider.
Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Another star point guard who could readily be available resides in Dallas. With Masai Ujiri now in charge of the Mavericks, it's clear that organizational changes are coming. First, it was head coach Jason Kidd. As they start to build in earnest around Cooper Flagg, it's reasonable to wonder if the 34-year-old Irving is next.
Irving's age and injury history are surely worrisome, but it's easy to forget that he was playing at an All-Star level before his ACL tear late in the 2024-25 season. Just one year prior, he was the second option on an NBA Finalist. Irving's ability to create his own shot complements just about any high-end star in the league and would give the Heat's offense a major boon. The same benefits of already rostering Mitchell that applied to Morant apply here, too.
This would be another trade that likely wouldn't require too much in terms of draft capital or major assets to execute, which keeps the door open for another big trade down the road in order to slot Irving into his natural spot as an elite second option. Irving would bring championship experience and an understanding of what it takes to play at the highest levels, which would be a hand-in-glove fit with the Heat's organizational ethos.
This is the sort of move that doesn't happen unless Miami knows something else is in the works. Even still, it's probably smart for Heat fans to keep it on their radar, considering the franchise's penchant for star-hunting. If there's someone on the market, the Heat will check in. With the asking price likely lower than some of the marquee names, this option can't be discounted, even if it stands as a precursor to something larger.
Speaking of...
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
Now we're getting to some of the star power Heat fans want to hear about.
This is the third consecutive player whose health remains a concern, but a part of that is the nature of what kind of players a franchise is willing to part with. Also, Leonard just concluded what was arguably the best regular season of his career, averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game en route to a selection on the All-NBA Second Team.
Leonard would be the single best player the Heat have had since Jimmy Butler, if not LeBron James. His shotmaking prowess is second to none when he's at his best, and he's still capable of truly terrifying defensive possessions. His fit in Miami's isolation-heavy offense is pretty perfect, and his work ethic and commitment to playing two-way basketball fit right into this organization.
Leonard's health obviously remains a question, but he's currently on the last year of his contract; Miami could cut him loose if things fall apart, or come to terms on an extension at a more reasonable number than his current $50 million salary. His contract status could also help the Heat in trade talks, as expiring players are inherently worth less to the team acquiring them.
There's a world where the Clippers don't even put Leonard on the market; they've catered to his every wish ever since signing him in 2019, after all. But the franchise has shifted its roster in the last few seasons, letting Paul George walk in free agency and dealing both James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline for picks and younger players. If their intention is to shift younger, it's not unreasonable to think they could deal Leonard to the highest bidder — to say nothing of the ongoing investigation about possible cap circumvention that could impact their willingness to send him away.
If the Heat strike out on Giannis and still intend on landing a high-end star that could propel a deep playoff run, Leonard likely represents their best shot. There are obvious risks, but the potential payoff is higher than just about any other player they could realistically go for this offseason.
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Leonard isn't the only star wing that could find himself on the trade block this summer.
First off, I know that Wagner has technically never been named to an All-Star game, but he's averaged 22.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over the last two seasons, and poorly-timed injuries are the biggest reason he's been left off the roster. Fortunately, the major injuries he's suffered the last two seasons (a torn oblique and high ankle sprain, respectively) aren't ones that are likely to hinder his performance moving forward, though the calf strain that kept him out of Games 5 through 7 of the Magic's first-round series against the Pistons is cause for at least minor concern.
Wagner is on this list because of the Magic's chronic underperformance since ascending to a playoff team in 2023-24. This season was full of high expectations, with many prognosticating they could win 50 games and secure a top-three seed, but injuries and inconsistent play pushed them all the way down to eighth. Considering the massive contracts doled out to Wagner and Paolo Banchero, plus the exorbitant price they paid for Desmond Bane, it's reasonable to wonder if the front office is done with this iteration.
If Orlando decides to put either of their forwards on the market, Wagner is the one the Heat should covet. The Magic have been better with Wagner on the floor than without in every season of his career; the opposite has been true for Banchero until this season, when there was no difference. Orlando went up 3-1 on the number one seed with Wagner in the lineup before dropping every single game after his injury. For years, the data has screamed that Wagner is the most impactful player on the Magic, despite the counting stats implying otherwise.
Wagner would be a natural fit in this Heat offense with his ability to drive into the paint and read the floor. Defensively, he's more than capable with real positional size. At 25 years old, he's young enough to meaningfully build a roster around. If the Magic want to break up this duo and decide Banchero's production and durability are more important than Wagner's impact, then Miami should be all over it. They have the salaries to match his contract, plus enough draft capital to potentially entice Orlando to restock their asset chest after the Bane trade. There's a world where they unlock his potential as an All-Star, or beyond.
Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
The final name on this list is another player who's never been named to the All-Star team, but Porter Jr. was one of the Eastern Conference's final cuts; had the Nets been more competitive, his case would have been bulletproof.
Porter Jr. is one of the league's truly elite shooters, both off the catch and off movement. At 6'10, he's a matchup nightmare capable of getting his shot off over nearly any contest. Even with a slower close to the season, he averaged over 24 points per game while shooting 36% on 9.3 three-pointers per game, many of them difficult looks. Porter proved his skills are capable of uplifting an offense to competence nearly by themselves.
If the Heat choose to move on from Norman Powell, trade Tyler Herro for another player, or both, Porter represents a truly perfect replacement in Miami's offense. Though he doesn't generate rim attempts or free throws like a conventional star, his ability to move without the ball and pull defenders with him makes those things easier for everybody else. At 27 years old, he's just entering his prime, and his skills should only get better with age. Even if he's not worth the $40 million he's owed next season, his contract expires next summer, and the Heat could renegotiate at a fair number for both sides.
This is another complementary star move like Irving, designed to amplify another big fish acquisition and vault this team into inner-circle contention. Brooklyn landed a first-round pick with Porter last summer, so it's not hard to imagine them asking for at least one more to send him away. If the Heat feel comfortable with their asset chest and the likelihood of landing another top-tier star, it's an avenue that they should strongly consider.
Add us as a preferred source on Google