As reported by Zach Lowe and Marc Stein of ESPN, the Miami Heat recently have expressed interest in Utah Jazz star big-man Lauri Markkanen. Miami has reportedly joined the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings in the race for Markkanen on the trade market. Heat insider Barry Jackson also confirmed the report, while also downplaying the chances of the team being able to acquire him.
Heat among several teams that have shown interest in Markannen, per ESPN. Jazz asked Heat for moon and stars in past general trade talks with Miami and have always valued the type of tradable draft capital that the Heat simply lacks. https://t.co/m8pIsHbXw2
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 5, 2024
Realistically speaking, Jackson has a valid point. Danny Ainge of the Jazz traditionally targets a pretty hefty package of draft capital in trades like this throughout his career. He was the man in charge of the Boston Celtics blockbuster 2013 trade with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett; the same trade that handed Boston draft picks that would then turn into Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, respectively.
More recently, Ainge demanded a plethora of draft picks in the Rudy Gobert/Minnesota Timberwolves trade. He received five picks, among more, in the total package to offload Gobert.
The Heat have just one tradeable first round pick (2030), but they do have attractive young pieces to complement any potential package. Ainge has coveted Tyler Herro in the past, and Miami also has assets in Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic who could arguably trump a draft pick in negotiations.
Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.9 steals on 48% shooting and 40% from 3-point range last season.
Outside of the former NBA All-Star’s strong individual stats, there are three reasons to justify Markkanen being the most perfect target for a team like the Heat.
Size
Although the Heat have exceeded expectations during this Jimmy Butler era, something that has been a factor in playoff losses has been size. There was the Anthony Davis/Dwight Howard combination in 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez in 2021 and Nikola Jokic dominance in 2023. Not to mention the once Robert Williams and now Kristaps Porzingis alongside Al Horford frontcourt with the Boston Celtics in 2022 and this past season.
Bam Adebayo has played the center position very well for Miami over the years, but there is no secret that he is undersized for the position against his peers. Adebayo is listed at 6-foot-9 and even 20-year Heat veteran Udonis Haslem mentioned he could unlock more potential as a natural power forward. Markkanen can make that possible, while putting less pressure on newly drafted 7-footer Kel’el Ware.
Markkanen’s 7-foot length and frame would bring an impactful and proven presence in the Heat’s frontcourt. It could also allow Ware to develop more naturally. His rim protection and shot blocking abilities would provide an element to Miami's big man depth that they haven't had since arguably Hassan Whiteside. Adebayo is known much more for his defensive versality againsts both bigs and on the perimeter.
When it comes to the postseason, this time around the Heat would have a serious counter to go up against that Porzingis/Horford pairing.
Scoring/shooting
Not only can Markkanen beef up the lineup with his size, but he has a lot of scoring/shooting finesse for a big. His 40% from 3-point range this past season and and 37.5% from his career would unleash scary hours with coach Erik Spoelstra’s rotation. Markkanen’s floor spreading ability would make it easier for the rest of the Heat core to attack the paint and create offense.
He is well respected as a shooter, but he is also a dominant scorer all-around. Markkanen averaged a career-high 25.6 points two seasons ago on route to the league’s Most Improved Player of the Year award. The Heat haven’t had a 25+ point scorer ever since LeBron James back in the 2013-2014 season.
That is the second longest drought for a team without an individual scorer of that caliber in the entire league, outside of the Orlando Magic. Miami was also in the lower half of offensive efficiency last season. Clearly, Markkanen’s scoring talents can factor into changing that quickly.
A star that fits Bam Adebayo’s timeline
Prior to the start of the offseason, Adrian Wojnarowski on NBA countdown mentioned that the Heat are in need of a star that fits Adebayo’s timeline. Being that Markkanen at 27 years-old is just one year older than the Heat’s captain, this fits that description. The Heat would have an All-Star frontcourt duo to build on for years to come.
Adebayo is a franchise cornerstone, and making it easier for him while adjusting to a younger style could benefit everybody involved. Markkanen has the offensive game that perfectly complements Adebayo. Long-range shooting has become a big part of today’s NBA with big men, and Markkanen has capabilities to shoot the ball on high volume.
Miami has a nice young core for the foreseeable future to work with. Under Adebayo at 26 years-old are Herro, Jaquez, Jovic and Ware, respectively. Adding Markkanen would be the icing on the cake for a young and competitive group of guys that the Heat already covet.