The Miami Heat refuse to tank, but a speculated approach from the team heading into this season could certainly put the idea squarely on the table. After the offseason the team has had, there's a growing belief that Miami could embrace the label as a seller heading into the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, there is a desire for the Heat to trim even more salary after already dumping Haywood Highsmith. Short of an unexpected strong start to the season, there's a belief that Miami may embrace being a seller at the trade deadline.
If that's how this season unravels for the Heat, it would be quite surprising. Even though it's certainly the right move for the team, especially considering they're somewhat at a crossroads, it's difficult to remember the last time the Heat embraced being a seller at the deadline.
It's not generally in their DNA, and not something that they've done much in the past. However, it could very well be a key in positioning themselves to make an even bigger move next summer.
What would a selling move look like for the Heat?
Looking at the Heat's roster, there may not be a huge push to sell off some big-name players. If there is one to keep a close eye on, it's certainly Andrew Wiggins. If the Heat does emerge as a seller at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline, or before, he's the one logical big move that the team can make.
I still can't see the Heat trading Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo, and it's not the time to move on from any of their other young players. Not yet. Ideally, the team would love to trade Terry Rozier, but there's no chance that happens with everything surrounding his name at the moment.
At least for the Heat, all paths do lead to Wiggins if they're looking to make a sell-now move at the deadline.
Considering the recent noise that has revolved around Wiggins, there could be much more to this than just speculation. Especially if a team out there (perhaps the Los Angeles Lakers) is willing to make an aggressive offer that would include a future first-round pick, the Heat could very well reach the point where this becomes their big seller's move at the trade deadline.
The first few weeks of the season could go a long way in dictating how this team is going to approach their NBA Trade Deadline plans, but it does seem as if they could end up being a natural seller.