Insider says Heat could trade up into top 10 of 2024 NBA Draft

When it comes to draft strategy, the Miami Heat’s front office typically takes a standstill approach. Let the board fall where it may, and take the best player available. Rarely does Miami target and trade up in the draft for a specific player.

But according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Heat are a candidate to trade into the top 10 of Wednesday night’s first round.

“Should Memphis ultimately decide to trade down from No. 9, Miami at No. 15 has been viewed as a possible move-up team mentioned by NBA figures,” Fischer wrote.

The Miami Heat haven't traded up in the draft for quite some time. Could they break the trend Wednesday night?

If I were to wager a guess as to who the Heat could trade up for, my money is on Providence’s Devin Carter.

Carter ranked No. 1 on our final Heat big board. He’s a lockdown defender, elite athlete and has that dog in him.

In Miami, Carter’s on-ball defense, hustle and toughness would fit seamlessly in the locker room. The fact that he’s the son of former Heat player and assistant coach Anthony Carter doesn’t hurt, either.

Carter has been linked to teams as high as San Antonio at No. 8 and Memphis at No. 9.

Other potential targets for a trade-up could be Colorado’s Cody Williams (who ranked first in our original Heat big board but was eliminated from the final board after his rise made it unlikely he’d be available at No. 15), G League Ignite’s Ron Holland and Pitt’s Bub Carrington.

Besides who the Heat would be targeting, the other question is what it would cost. Do the Heat really like a specific prospect enough to part with a valuable future first-round pick to move up six spots? Would players be involved? 

That part is more difficult to figure out, but we know it would be more complex than a straight nine-for-15 swap.