For those Miami Heat fans who were holding out hope that Buddy Hield would hit the open market, that dream may not be completely dead just yet.
Even though the Atlanta Hawks officially guaranteed the $9.66 million salary of Hield for the 2026-27 NBA season, that doesn't mean that he still can't find his way to the Heat. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Hawks are still "involved in several trade scenarios that could end up utilizing Buddy Hield’s salary for 2026-27."
In theory, that means that Hield could still end up as an option for the Heat. Whether that's after Hield is traded to another team, and then bought out, or if that's in a scenario where he's traded to Miami outright.
If the Heat viewed Hield as a player who would be a great fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, there's still a small chance that can happen.
The Heat is interested in Buddy Hield
One thing that is for certain is that there is interest from the Heat. Ideally, it would've made the most sense if they could've gotten Hield on the cheap, but even if it is at his full salary number (via trade), you'd have to imagine that Miami would consider such an option.
In theory, Hield would be an interesting addition next to Giannis and Bam. Even though Hield has truly had some up-and-down moments throughout his career, especially of late, you can't teach shooting. And Hield, despite some real concerns on the defensive end of the floor, has the ability to be a game-changing 3-point shooter.
As a career 40 percent 3-point shooter in the league, it's foolish not to believe that the Heat has the system in place to get him right. And with the space that Giannis and Bam will create, there's reason to believe that Hield could have a career resurgence in Miami.
But, especially after the Hawks guaranteed his contract for this season, landing him could be easier said than done. That's where the Heat's front office is going to have to get creative.
The Heat will have to get creative in free agency
As the start of free agency quickly approaches, if the Heat is going to be successful in building around Giannis and Bam during this first year, the front office is going to have to pull some rabbits out of its hat.
Finding a path toward opportunistic players like Hield could be one way the Heat can accomplish that. As we saw with Hield, that won't be that simple.
If the Heat is able to put together a competitive supporting cast around Bam and Giannis, though, it will revolve around these similar types of moves. Finding creative advantages on the margins. The Heat saw one in Hield, but the pieces just didn't fall into place.
Despite the new hurdles, the Hield dream isn't quite dead yet. It just got slightly more difficult for Miami to pull it off.
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