The Miami Heat may have epically failed in their Giannis Antetokounmpo pursuit at the NBA Trade Deadline, but the "whale hunting" will almost certainly continue once the offseason arrives. In anticipation of their next superstar pursuit, it's important to reset where the Heat stands in terms of overall asset management.
Even though the Heat have missed on a few stars over the last couple of years, the good news is that the team will almost have control of all their future draft picks this summer.
Here is exactly where they stand in terms of draft pick management:
Miami Heat 1st round draft picks
2026: own
2027: owes to Charlotte Hornets (lottery protected)
2028: own (if 2027 is conveyed to CHA)
2029: own
2030: own
2031: own
2032 own
*2033: own
Miami Heat 2nd round draft picks
2026: owns, but ATL holds right to swap
2027: owns, but OKC, NYK, or SAS has right to swap
2028: owes to DET
2029: owes to OKC
2030: owes to OKC
2031: owns, but WAS holds right to swap
2032: owes to BK
*2033: owns
It should be noted that the 2033 picks won't officially be refreshed until the new league year opens. Nevertheless, the Heat will have a strong slate of draft picks at their disposal once that happens.
When it comes to the team's future first-round picks, the Heat could have upwards of 3-4 to trade this summer. Sure, there are fewer second-rounders that the Heat will have to work with, but this certainly beats the reality that the team was working with at the trade deadline in their pursuit of Giannis.
Plus, you never know what the NBA will decide with the Terry Rozier situation, and maybe there is a path where the Heat have control of all of their first-round picks at some point in the next few months.
Either way, despite disappointment at the trade deadline, there is some hope for Miami. If the front office is banking on another superstar pursuit this summer, there's reason to believe they could hope for a better outcome during the offseason.
With the ability to negotiate with a full wallet of draft picks, the Heat could be much more aggressive in a few months. And with the expectation that there may be a deeper market for a superstar like Giannis, if he were to hit the trade block again, they're going to need that luxury.
Fans can disagree with the Heat's approach to team building, but it's hard to imagine that they're going to change who they are. This is what their identity has been for the past two decades. For better or worse, they're going to bet on their ability to pursue star players.
Sometimes it works out, and other times it fails. Miserably. At this point, it'd be shocking if they all of a sudden pivoted.
At least fans can get some consolation that this time around, they won't be negotiating with one hand tied behind their back because of a lack of draft assets.