Heading into NBA Draft night, it's almost impossible to predict the approach the Miami Heat will have. Assuming that the Heat doesn't have a secret trade for a star lined up, there's a very good chance they're going to make less sexy moves to help reinforce their financial flexibility heading into the 2026 offseason. One of those moves could involve trading Andrew Wiggins.
And this potential is not necessarily a knock on Wiggins. He was fine during the second half of the regular season for the Heat. He was flat-out disappointing in the NBA Playoffs, but the Heat had no business being there in the first place. We'll just assume those four games never happened. If the Heat is looking for a player they could trade who doesn't have negative value, it's Wiggins.
With two years left on his contract, which includes a player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, you'd imagine that the Heat would love to move off this deal, too. Of course, that's assuming the team's master plan continues to revolve around ultimate flexibility next summer.
While there's no guarantee that's what the front office is building to, it's a pretty safe estimate considering this franchise's history. That's probably even more of the case after the team swung and missed on KD to begin the offseason.
Andrew Wiggins could emerge as a prime trade candidate on draft night
If that is the case, that means trading Wiggins between now and next year's NBA Trade Deadline could sit atop the Heat's priorities. To be quite honest, I'd expect the Heat to try and trade him sooner rather than later, in an attempt ot maxamize his trade value.
Stapling Wiggins' contract alongside the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft wouldn't be a terrible plan for Miami. Whether they'll be able to upgrade the roster with a veteran or take a flier on a forgotten young talented prospect, the key will be to eliminate as much salary off their books beyond the 2025-26 NBA season.
If Miami does end up making some sort of teardown move at the NBA Draft, there are three options that could end up playing out - the most likely of those revolves around trading Wiggins alongside the No. 20 pick.
It's far from a certainty that the Heat are going to trade Wiggins, but there has been enough smoke that suggests it's a very real possibility. After a lackluster stretch after his acquisition from the Warriors, I don't think fans will be that disappointed if this is a path the front office ended up taking on draft night.