There may be certain aspects of the Miami Heat's franchise that remain a mystery. However, one of them is not their love for the star players. In fact, it's one of the certainties that revolves around this franchise. And if the recent rumors are any indication, Nikola Jokic could be the next superstar player the Heat attempts to pursue via trade.
That's because, according to a recent report, Jokic doesn't plan on signing a contract extension with the Denver Nuggets this offseason. Instead, he intends to see how this season plays out before committing to a long-term deal with the team.
That doesn't necessarily mean that Jokic wants out of Denver, but there's at least a little doubt heading into his future with the franchise.
After this season, Jokic has two years remaining on his contract, with a player option for the 2027-28 NBA season. It may be way too early for most teams to even dream of the possibility of Jokic hitting the trade market, much less free agency, but with the way the Heat operate, they could already be setting the groundwork for what a potential pursuit of Jokic could look like in the future.
A Jokic trade wouldn't be that outlandish
With how much dysfunction there may be in the Nuggets' organization right now, it's not unreasonable to believe that Jokic could have some real doubts about his future in Denver. They're coming off a season in which they (stunningly) fired their head coach and general manager. They also just traded Michael Porter Jr. and made some major additions to their supporting cast this summer.
It's clear that the front office feels at least some urgency to help push this roster forward, and Jokic is a big reason why. At 30 years old, Jokic is in the midst of the prime years of his career, and if he's going to win another NBA Championship, it has to come quickly. With the Nuggets or another team.
Could the Heat be that team? Perhaps. With the moves that the team has made this offseason, it's clear that they're building toward something big next summer. It's difficult to predict who the Heat may have their eye on, but they're expecting to make a big move with the way they've opened up salary cap flexibility. Miami should also be in a much better place from a draft pick perspective.
There's a very good chance that the Heat, if they wanted, could build up a godfather offer for Jokic (or another superstar player). As arguably the best player in the NBA right now, it wouldn't be all that surprising if Jokic factored into the Heat's plans or efforts over the next calendar year.
It's still a tad bit too early to consider Jokic a potential trade target for star-hunting teams across the league. But, make no mistake, the clock is ticking for the Nuggets. And if they can't return to championship form, a team like the Heat will be waiting to pounce on the opportunity to pry Jokic away.