Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Buddy Hield is reportedly a "trade candidate to watch." That's inevitably put the Miami Heat in a position where their weaknesses suggest they should be calling their division rival to negotiate a deal that would instantly improve their weakest area.
For as intriguing as it may be to pursue a trade for Hield, however, the Heat must resist the temptation and avoid acquiring his player option when maneuverability is just one summer away.
Hield ranks among the best three-point shooters in NBA history. He boasts a career average of 2.9 three-point field goals made per game on 39.5 percent shooting from distance. He ranks No. 7 in NBA history in three-point field goals made per game and No. 15 in overall conversions.
Despite his success, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype recently reported that Hield is a trade candidate due to the Hawks' roster and financial situations.
"With Atlanta currently $4.1 million below the luxury tax and having 17 players on the roster for 15 spots, the Hawks remain in trade discussions. As previously reported by HoopsHype, veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield is a trade candidate to monitor."
Though Hield's quality as a shooter is undeniable, the Heat can't justify the financial investment that comes with trading for him at this stage of their retooling.
Buddy Hield's contract would make him a poor fit for the Heat
Miami is on pace to have roughly $85 million in guaranteed money tied up in its players entering the 2027 offseason. That number will inevitably grow once they extend Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is widely expected to transpire.
Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, Antetokounmpo's projected annual salary would come out to an average of $68.75 million, although it will be relative to the cap. That brings Miami to, rounding up and not accounting for a potential low-end first-year salary, $154 million.
The four players consuming the $154 million would be Bam Adebayo, Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jovic, and Wiggins. Miami will have other roster decisions to make, of course, but they'll have control over their own destiny from a financial perspective.
With the flexibility that they could potentially gain, Miami could look to sign a third star or simply fill out the rotation with multiple high-level players. Trading for Hield would damage those efforts.
Hield is owed $9,658,536 for the 2026-27 season and has a $10,097,560 player option for 2027-28. In other words: The Heat would need to add another $10.1 million to their bill for a player who will turn 34 in December and played just 16.1 minutes per game in 2025-26.
Even if Hield can thrive in a larger role in 2026-27, the Heat need to preserve their financial flexibility—and gambling on a 34-year-old rediscovering his form isn't worth the risk.
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