Even though the Miami Heat have missed out on their last few pursuits for a star player, that doesn't mean they're going to quit the game. In fact, if one recent update holds true, the Heat's next superstar trade target is as clear as it gets. Enter Trae Young.
According to a recent report, Young remains "disappointed" in the fact that the Atlanta Hawks have yet to offer him a contract extension so far this offseason. In anticipation of the final year in his contract, Young is naturally eligible for an extension. At least thus far, the Hawks haven't pushed for one.
Young believes it's something that should be done and out of the way.
Currently eligible for a four-year, $229 million contract extension with the Hawks, it doesn't appear as if one is close. At this stage of the offseason, you can't help but wonder if an extension is coming at all. Or if Young would accept anything less than the max extension.
That could be music to the Heat's ears. In desperate need of a superstar player to shake free from their current situation, Young could be an intriguing potential target for Miami.
Young checks a lot of the boxes for the Heat
In a vacuum, Young does fit a lot of what the Heat are missing. Young is more of the natural point guard that the Heat doesn't currently have on their roster, and would be an excellent fit next to Bam Adebayo.
Even though he's somewhat of a polarizing star player at this point in his career, he does have some of that alpha trait the Heat has desperately missed since trading Jimmy Butler. Young has shown flashes of being that level of superstar in some of the biggest playoff moments of his career, too.
Young has struggled on that front over the past couple of seasons, but you can't help but wonder how much the lack of a strong supporting cast played in that.
On the Heat, you'd imagine Young would be put in the best position to succeed. He'd be playing for the best coach (Erik Spoelstra) of his playing career thus far, and would be playing alongside the best supporting player (Bam) of his career too.
At the very least, it'd be an intriguing next chapter of Young's career.
For the Heat, they'd get their alpha lead guard to build around next to Bam, and a star that would immediately inject some fresh excitement around this fan base.
Young may not be on the trade market right now, but there appears to be a growing chance that could change within the next 12 months. And if that does end up happening, you can bet the Heat will be involved one way or another.