The Miami Heat might see the upcoming NBA trade deadline as a welcome source of relief. Maybe the trade market breaks just right and delivers the star power they clearly need. Or perhaps they opt for some selective selling, stocking up the asset collection while possibly unloading a polarizing (and maybe unhappy) player.
The Heat should have their eyes and ears open, but they need to understand that not every trade would work for them. If they're going to load up for a post-deadline push, they need a legitimate difference-maker to lead the charge. Paying a premium for anything less could not only spoil this season but potentially make future ones even harder to navigate.
Adding anything less than a superstar would hurt more than it helps.
The Heat will surely feel temptation to get involved in this intriguing trade market. The Eastern Conference feels as open as ever. The New York Knicks are struggling, the Boston Celtics are missing Jayson Tatum, and the Detroit Pistons have so far failed to provide Cade Cunningham with the necessary spacing and co-star around him.
Miami, which is almost always aiming for maximum competitiveness, must sense that opportunity is knocking. And that's because it is—just not for this team.
Not unless a superstar is hitting the South Beach shores sooner rather than later, at least.
Because the Heat can't contend without a significant upgrade. Forget about whatever good vibes their 20-17 record might have you feeling. Here's the real record worth examining: 7-15. That's a .318 winning percentage, or a worse win rate than those possessed by the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets—presumed tankers you'd figure would be fully focused on the drool-worthy 2026 draft class.
That's Miami's mark against .500-or-better opponents this season. Seven wins in 22 tries. More than two losses to show for every win. When the level of competition rises, the Heat consistently fail to measure up.
Jonathan Kuminga isn't changing that. Same goes for DeMar DeRozan, Michael Porter Jr., and Coby White. What they could change, though, is Miami's collection of assets, and therefore perhaps thwart its ability to land a transformational player when one actually becomes available.
The Heat need a transcendent star. They have some really good players, like Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Norman Powell, but really good isn't actually good enough. Greatness is the bare minimum when it comes to championship contention, and that's a box this bunch can't check.
If Miami is buying this trade season while leaving this box unchecked, then it's essentially parting with trade assets (perhaps some decent ones) to spin its tires. If the Heat aren't bringing in a Giannis Antetokounmpo or maybe an Anthony Davis, then they probably shouldn't be bringing in anyone. Pat Riley understands the importance of whales, so he better not settle for just a flashy fish.