If the Miami Heat are genuinely looking to add a star player in the next few months, the right opportunity may have just emerged. However, even though adding Trae Young does seem like a feasible target at the moment, it's one of those scenarios that could lead toward disaster for the Heat.
And, at least for now, I'm not sure if Miami will think that the juice is worth the squeeze.
Make no mistake, it doesn't seem as if the Atlanta Hawks and Young are going to reach an agreement on a contract extension this summer. Just because there isn't an extension coming, that doesn't mean the Hawks will automatically shop Young on the trade market.
But it would make sense for the Hawks to, at the very least, explore their options. And, who knows, if the right deal did come across the table, would it at all be that surprising if the Hawks decided to roll the dice and go all-in on their talented young core by trading Young? Not at all.
Would Trae Young be a good fit for the Heat?
The Heat may not have the assets (at the moment) to pursue a player like Giannis Antetokounmpo in good faith, but they certainly have what it would take to swing a move for Young. The question is, does the Heat believe it's a worthy path to explore?
With Pat Riley's influence still in the front office, absolutely. He's never not done his due diligence for a star player. That doesn't mean he'll push the Heat to go all-in for Young, but he'll at least test the waters.
Even though in theory, Young and Bam Adebayo would seem like a good fit on paper, there would be real questions surrounding whether it's the best path forward for the Heat. Plus, I'm not sure if swapping Young for Tyler Herro would not only be a great upgrade, but if it would solve the Heat's upcoming financial issues (considering Young would be seeking a huge extension as well).
Still, Young does bring the superstar power that the Heat has desperately needed since they traded Jimmy Butler (or since he checked out on the team). While Young can sometimes be somewhat of an inconsistent star player, he does bring that fire, especially on the offensive end of the floor, that the Heat could use.
How risky are the Heat willing to be?
But this is a move that would certainly come with a leveled measure of risk.
Not only would the Heat have to part ways with a decent amount of assets (perhaps even include Herro) to complete a trade for Young, but they'd also have to give him a large extension. And for what the Heat would theoretically have to invest in a move for Young, he'd have to deliver for the Heat in a big way.
Miami would have to feel confident that a move for Young would help catapult them back into championship contender status. If he can't, considering the assets they'd have to part ways with, it could leave them in a very bad spot.
Trading for Young could end up working out for the Heat. At the same time, it could also lead the team back into a place of disaster.