In desperate need to find the next superstar to help elevate the team back to contender status in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat appears to have some bold plans for the 2026 NBA offseason. However, free agency isn't how the Heat is going to score a star upgrade. And if that's their big plan for next summer, they are going to be sorely disappointed.
With the way the Heat have operated this offseason, Miami could be preparing to open up significant cap space ahead of the 2026 free agency period. Looking to land a star player, this tactic from the Heat may no longer be as effective as it once was.
The Heat's plan for cap space could be flawed
In theory, creating flexibility via cap space should never be considered a bad move. However, free agency is no longer what it once was in the Association.
With all due respect to the sport, the last time free agency mattered in the NBA was probably 2019. That's when we saw Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Durant all switched teams. But that was the last time superstars truly embraced free agency.
Since then, player movement hasn't stopped, but the use of doing so via free agency has certainly diminished. Because of that, it would be foolish to suggest that the Heat are suddenly going to find a path toward landing a star in free agency.
The Heat's 'other' avenues to land a star
But that's part of what makes the Heat's stockpiling of future draft picks that much more important. Before next offseason arrives, it's going to pay dividends if Miami can add another future first-round pick or two. Even if they just add one, it's going to give them that much more flexibility to make big offers via trade.
For example, right now, the Heat only has two tradable first-round picks (and three pick swaps). But, if the Heat were able to acquire a 2027 first-round pick, that would make all the difference. Instead of just two first-round picks they could use via trade, the Heat would automatically have four tradable first-round picks.
That could prove to be extremely important if next year's free agency lacks the star power that the Heat would need to make a big move.
Flexibility is important, and it's good that the Heat seems to be prioritizing that heading into next summer. However, Miami needs to know what they're getting themselves into before they go all-in on the idea of landing a franchise-changing player in free agency.
Landing a superstar talent in the NBA isn't as straightforward as it was 5-10 years ago. And if the Heat don't realize that, their entire plan for 2026 is going to blow up in their face.